WHITEHORSE - Staff from two Yukon Government departments recently joined forces with the Carmacks Development Corporation to remove six acres of trees and brush under the approach path to Runway 27 at the Carmacks Aerodrome. This project has resulted in enhanced runway safety.
"Wildland Fire Management assisted Aviation Branch by removing trees from the runway to make takeoffs safer for air tankers," Community Services Minister Glenn Hart explained. "Wildland Fire Management also conducted on-site supervision, while Aviation Branch funded and managed the overall project."
"Safety continues to be a high priority for the Yukon Government, and projects such as brushing at the Carmacks Aerodrome will ensure that aircraft are able to safely land and take off there for years to come," Highways and Public Works Minister Archie Lang continued. "Thanks are extended to Transportation Maintenance Branch staff for assisting in the project by plowing access routes."
"A crew of seven employees from our company undertook the brushing contract over three weeks this winter," Carmacks Development Corporation General Manager, James Wilson, said. "We were very pleased with the quality of our employees' work and there were no accidents or lost time during the project."
In addition to enhanced safety for air tankers like the DC-6 and Firecats that use the Carmacks runway, the removal of these trees will benefit other airport users, such as the MEDEVAC carrier, RCMP, wildlife survey crews, charter operators and general aviators.
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| Contact: | |
| Roxanne Vallevand Cabinet Communications (867) 633-7949 roxanne.vallevand@gov.yk.ca | Kira Steen Communications, Highways & Public Works (867) 667-3146 kira.steen@gov.yk.ca |