Fish Creek fire evacuees can return, forest closed ‘until further notice’

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Fish Creek Community Forest fire evacuees can return home this morning as the blaze is projected to move away from the city.

The City of Fort St. John posted to Facebook before 9 a.m. on May 2nd saying the 19 households displaced due to the fire which broke out in the forest on May 1st can return, as no structures are believed to have been damaged. 

The forest, however, will be closed until further notice.

According to the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), the fire is currently 56 hectares in size and ‘out of control.’

This means it “is spreading or it is anticipated to spread beyond the current perimeter, or control line.”

The service says its crews, helicopters, and air tankers are on site and working alongside the Fort St. John, Taylor and Charlie Lake fire departments.

As of yesterday evening (May 1st), the blaze was moving towards Beatton Lake. 

City councillor Trevor Bolin posted to Facebook earlier today to say BCWS is meeting with the fire department this morning to make a plan to respond to the fire. 

“The fire is projected to continue moving northeast, further outside the city boundaries,” Bolin’s post reads. 

People are urged to avoid the area and allow the crews to work.

Roads which were previously closed, including Jones Subdivision and O’Large Roads, have now reportedly been reopened.

The cause of the fire is suspected to be human activity.