PRRD reduces evacuation order areas for Stoddart, Red Creek wildfires

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) reduced the areas under evacuation order and alert due to the Red Creek and Stoddart Creek wildfires on Wednesday morning.

The district said the changes were made based on recommendations from the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) after changes in fire activity.

Residents with properties in North Pine, Pine View, and in northern sections of Charlie Lake north of Highway 29 and 246 Road are no longer under an evacuation order and are now under evacuation alert. This means that residents in these areas can go home but should still have a bag packed and be ready to leave the area at a moment’s notice.

Those residing in Rose Prairie, Montney, Buick Creek, Coffee Creek, Prespatou, Altona, Peejay, Osborn, Nig Creek, and Murdale remain under the evacuation order.

The PRRD also changed which areas are under an evacuation alert on Wednesday, adding properties no longer under evacuation order to the alert.

The district cancelled the evacuation alert for communities in southern sections of Charlie Lake, including Cecil Lake, Goodlow, Baldonnel, Two Rivers, and Bear Flats.

Properties that continue to be covered by the alert include areas north of Highway 29, 246 Road, and Cecil Lake Road, west of Beatton River, northwest of Doig River and Siphon Creek Road, extending east towards the Alberta border.

Changes to these orders and alerts come after both Fort St. John and the District of Taylor rescinded their evacuation alerts on Wednesday morning.

Taylor said the risk of wildfire remains high and advises residents to remain alert and prepared. Water restrictions and fire bans are still in effect in the district.

All open fires will be prohibited across the Prince George Fire Centre starting Friday at noon.

According to the PRRD, as of Wednesday morning, there are 1,362 properties under an evacuation order and 649 under evacuation alert in the district.

For the latest updates on wildfires in our region, visit energeticcity.ca/forest-fire-news/.