Update: NRRM evacuating parts near Fort Nelson area

Update #3 (7:25 p.m., May 10th): The entire community is now being evacuated. Details can be found by clicking here.

Update #2 (6:07 p.m May 10th): The Fort Nelson visitors information centre has released a post saying Highway 97 is closed going north.

Update (5:47 p.m. May 10th): The fire has grown to 200 hectares, according to BC Wildfire Service.

FORT NELSON, B.C. — Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (NRRM) has begun the process of evacuating residents in the Fort Nelson area, according to a Facebook post.

This is due to a wildfire near the town, located near Highway 97, two kilometres northwest of Parker Lake, according to BC Wildfire Service (BCWS).

The wildfire was reported on May 10th and the BCWS says the fire is currently listed at 200 Hectares and is listed as ‘out of control.’

The post released Friday afternoon says residents in the Walsh Road East area, including Valleyview Drive, Pioneer Way, Highland Drive, Pebble Drive, and the Old Alaska Highway, as well as all residents east of the Young Living site at Mile 308 are instructed to leave their premises immediately.

NRRM says evacuated persons should assemble at the Recreation Centre, located at 5500 Alaska Highway in Fort Nelson.

The Fort Nelson visitor information centre revealed in a Facebook post at 5:00 p.m. that Highway 97 was closed going north.

Residents can contact the NRRM directly at (250)774-6121.

Energeticcity.ca will update this story as more information becomes available.