B.C. man goes missing while mushroom picking near Watson Lake, Yukon

A search is underway for a B.C. man who went missing while mushroom picking near Watson Lake, Yukon, over the weekend.

RCMP say they received a report early Monday morning that 55-year-old DarrelRussellof Kitwanga, B.C., had gone missing in the Barney Lake fire burn area, about 70 kilometres east of Watson Lake.

Sgt. Cam Lockwood says there are as many as 800 people picking mushrooms in the area.

"There's so many people in the bush, just when you think you have a lead, it turns out to be another mushroom picker," Lockwood said.

Russellwas last seen Saturday at around 5 p.m., about 17 kilometresdown Coal River Road.

Watson Lake RCMP have begun a ground and air search, and Yukon search and rescue personnel along with RCMP Dog Services were also headed to the area on Monday afternoon.

Russell is described as a First Nations man, 5'5", with a light complexion, shaved headand a stocky build. He was last seen wearing a black bomber-style jacket with a diamond pattern sewn on it, blue jeans and hiking boots.

Anybody with information about Russell's whereabouts is asked to contact Watson Lake RCMP.