A 32-year-old Dawson City man was shot by the RCMP Thursday after a confrontation with officers.

Sgt. Don Rogers, a spokesperson for the police, told the Star late this morning the man was carrying a weapon and was shot after police feared for their safety.

Officers then administered first aid.

The man was airlifted from Dawson City to Whitehorse General Hospital, where he is in treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.

The north and southbound lanes of the Dempster Highway have been shut down upon the request of the RCMP. They were scheduled to re-open by 3 p.m. today, said a spokesperson for the Department of Highways and Public Works.

The shooting is being investigated by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT), a civilian organization with the mandate to investigate incidents involving serious injury or death resulting from the actions of a police officer.

ASIRT personnel were due to arrive in the territory sometime this afternoon.