PRRD rescinds Boundary Lake evacuation order

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) has rescinded the evacuation order for properties in the Goodlow and Boundary Lake area.

This means the evacuation order issued on May 9th is now cancelled.

Residents whose properties are located either west of Clayhurst Road between Cecil Lake Road and Moose Creek Road or on the north side of Moose Creek Road, west of Clayhurst Road, can go home.

The PRRD says that an evacuation alert remains in effect for all areas that were previously under evacuation alert or evacuation order in the Goodlow and Boundary Lake area.

The district recommends that residents who head home ensure they fill the gas tank of their vehicles and bring a minimum of three days of food and essential supplies such as medications and pet supplies with them as local grocery stores may be out of stock.

It also recommends residents have personal protective equipment with them, like hard-soled boots or shoes, a face mask, rubber gloves and other items like flashlights, tools, cleaning supplies, trash bags and a first-aid kit.

According to the district, those heading home may encounter some hazards, which could include heavy equipment and ongoing operations, impacts to roads and structures, damaged trees, unstable slopes, displaced wildlife, and property hazards, including contaminated foods and refrigeration equipment.

The PRRD says an evacuation order may need to be reissued in the future if necessary, and residents should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.

For more information, residents can contact the Peace River Regional District at 250-784-4838

The BC Wildfire Service posted an update on the Boundary Lake fire to Facebook on Saturday afternoon, stating that it continues to respond to the wildfire, which initially sparked in Alberta. As of Saturday afternoon, the fire is estimated at 6,171 hectares.

BCWS says an ignition operation is planned on Saturday for about 250 hectares of unburnt fuel on the south flank of the fire to get rid of unburnt fuels between the control line and the edge of the fire in “an intentional way” to secure the control line and contain the fire’s south flank in anticipation of a change in wind direction next week.

“Bringing the fire to the established control lines also allows crews to more safely use direct attack methods to extinguish the fire’s edge,” the BCWS stated in their post.

The service says the ignition work will be supported by crews on the ground that have pre-established the hose lay for water delivery, adding that the ignition will only proceed if site and weather conditions are favourable.

BCWS says there are also 15 helicopters assigned to the complex that can provide bucketing support as needed.

For more information on the Boundary Lake wildfire, click here.

As of Saturday, the Red Creek wildfire is estimated at approximately 3,000 hectares. The BCWS says this new size reflects the 350-hectare planned ignition operation successfully completed on May 11th.

The PRRD expanded the evacuation alert area for the Red Creek area on Friday evening in anticipation of increased fire activity and fire behaviour due to the hot and dry weather conditions forecasted for the area.

Visit energeticcity.ca/forest-fire-news for more information on wildfires in our region.