Blueberry River First Nation issues second evacuation order

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Blueberry River First Nation (BRFN) issued a second evacuation order Wednesday evening due to the Stoddart Creek wildfire and the closure of Beatton Airport Road.

According to Drive BC, Beatton Airport Road is closed in both directions due to the wildfire between Highway 97 and Blueberry River Road. A detour is available via 271 Road to 256 East to Rose Prairie Road (Road 101), back on to Prespatou Road.

The nation asks that community members leave their homes immediately and head towards its emergency operations centre located at 9929 Swanson Street in Fort St John.

BRFN recommends evacuating the area via Rose Prairie Road and asks that community members remain calm and assist each other during the evacuation process.

“We are committed to your well-being. Stay calm. The community is not in imminent danger, this is a safety precaution,” the nation said in a release.

BRFN recommends evacuees take essential items for each family member, including,

• Medications: Bring an adequate supply of prescription medication
• Clothes and personal items: Pack a few changes of clothes, including comfortable shoes.
  Don’t forget personal hygiene items.
• Important documents: Carry Copies of identification cards, passports, and insurance policies. Include other vital records if possible.
• Pets and their necessities

Members with vehicles are asked to help others with transportation. Those in need of assistance with transportation can contact Tracy Paquette by emailing t.paquette@blueberryfn.ca.

Those with further questions can contact safety director Matthew Dodwell at 250-224-9248 or Chief Judy Desjarlais at 250-224-7441.

BRFN said those who have already evacuated the area and had to relocate to Dawson Creek or other surrounding communities can register at the nation’s emergency operations centre at the time of their ESS renewal or upon the expiry of their referral document and request to move closer to their homes.

The nation said updates will be provided to members via Facebook and all other social media platforms owned by the nation.