UPDATE: Evacuation Order issued for Red Creek residents, fire now at 1,550 hectares

(6:30 p.m.) UPDATE: The Peace River Regional District says the evacuation orders and alerts for the Boundary Lake and Red Creek wildfires remain in effect. No changes are expected this evening. The Emergency Support Services Reception Centre is now closed. To reach ESS after-hours call 250 794-3310. Saturday, B.C. Wildfire crews focused suppression efforts on the east flank and from western edge of Red Creek road working northwards. 

(1:30 p.m.) UPDATE: An evacuation alert has been issued, in addition to the evacuation order in place. The information on the alert has been added to the bottom of this story.

UPDATE: More information on the evacuation order and the Red Creek fire has been added to the story.

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – An evacuation order has been issued for properties in the Red Creek area due to an active wildfire.

The Peace River Regional District issued the order Saturday morning. The fire sparked at around 2 p.m. Friday and has grown quickly from 475 hectares to approximately 1,550 hectares. The BC Wildfire Service currently has four attack crews, one unit crew, and one officer responding with the support of two helicopters.

The biggest challenge with the fire is the forecasted winds for Saturday afternoon, which could reach up to 60 km/hr. According to the BCWS, the current east and southeast winds are resulting in heavy smoke, which is impacting aerial support’s accurate information on the size of the fire due to poor visibility.

An Energeticcity.ca reporter was on the scene of the fire around 10:30 a.m. and was told by a BCWS worker that powerlines near the fire have become compromised. The reporter also noticed residents using hoses around the perimeter of their homes before the evacuation order was put in place. There are also reports of residents heading toward the fire with water trucks to help the small community.

Extreme fire behaviour is anticipated on existing fires, and new fire starts are expected to grow rapidly due to the forecasted wind.

The evacuation order is in effect for the following areas:

• From a point 0.75km south of the intersection of the Red Creek Road and Highway 97N;
• Headedsouthwestt to a point of intersection of the Red Creek;
• Following the Red Creek south to Cache Creek;
• Following the Cache Creek west to the North Cache Creek;
• Following the North Cache Creek north to a point due east of the 258 road;
• Due east to Highway 97N.

Residents are advised to evacuate the area immediately by travelling on the Red Creek Road or Lower Cache Road East to Highway 97N and continue to the Emergency Support Services reception centre located at North Peace Arena at 9805 96 Avenue in Fort St. John, BC.

If the reception centre is closed, phone 250-794-3310, and if you need transportation assistance, phone 250-794-3310.

Keep updated on the evacuation orders in the Peace River Regional District by heading to their website, or Facebook Page. Wildfire information is constantly updated on the BC Wildfire Service map.

The evacuation order is in effect for the following properties:

An evacuation alert has been issued, in addition to the evacuation order in place.

This evacuation alert applies to properties in the Red Creek, Lower Cache and south of the Beatton Airport Road areas as follows:

• From the intersection of Highway 97N and Beatton Airport Road, head north along Highway 97N to 258 Road;

.• Heading west beyond North Cache Creek;

• Heading northeast to Fox Creek;

• Due west to the Prespatou Road;

• Follow the Prespatou Road south to the 256 road;

• Following the 256 road west to the 281 Road;

• Following the 281 road south to the 254 Road;

• Following the 254 Road to Highway 97N;

• As well as the area 5.5km west of Highway 97N and 4km north of Lyndon Subdivision.

For those preparing in case of evacuation, the PRRD provided the following information:

• Locate all family members and designate a meeting area outside the evacuation area;

• Pack essential items such as government-issued ID, medications, eyeglasses, valuable papers (e.g. insurance, credit, and mortgage information), immediate care needs for dependents, cell phone & charger and, if time and space permits, keepsakes for quick;

• Prepare to move disabled persons, children and/or neighbours, if assistance is needed;

• Prepare to take pets, including pet care items (leash, carrier, food) and move livestock to a safe area (if possible);

• Arrange transportation for all your household and fill the gas tanks of personal vehicles. If transportation assistance is needed, call 1-800-670-7773;

• Arrange accommodation for all members of the residence, if possible;

• Wait for an Evacuation Order to be issued BEFORE evacuating. Monitor prrd.bc.ca for information on evacuation orders and the location of Reception Centres, and hours of operation;

• Residents impacted by evacuation orders or alerts can contact the PRRD at 1-800-670-7773 for planning and assistance with any transportation, mobility, health, or other needs.

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