The Government of Yukon is recruiting volunteer firefighters in Watson Lake to help protect the community and staff its fleet after the town tendered two new fire apparatuses in 2025. The recruitment call, issued in late January 2026, aims to fill approximately 4–6 remaining vacancies so the town has enough volunteers to provide 24/7 emergency response.
Interested residents can apply for the spring training intake via the Yukon.ca volunteer page (which includes application instructions and contact information) or by contacting the Watson Lake Town Office in person. Recruits receive standardized structural firefighting and rescue training provided under the Yukon Fire Marshal’s Office, preparing them to respond to building fires and motor-vehicle accidents, including incidents along the Alaska Highway.
The recruitment highlights opportunities through the Ember Fire Academy, a Yukon program for people of genders historically underrepresented in the fire service, including women and non-binary people. Ember celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2024 and has trained participants who have gone on to join the territory’s fire services.
Increasing the number of local volunteers is a key part of the Watson Lake Fire Department’s plan to make full use of its new apparatuses. A full crew of trained members helps reduce response times and provides critical local support and backup for wildland fire crews during the high-risk summer season.
