‘World-class firefighters’: Acting mayor praises response to Fish Creek wildfire

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The acting mayor of Fort St. John is praising the emergency services that helped fight the Fish Creek Community Forest wildfire quickly and effectively. 

As of May 6th, the BCWS changed the Fish Creek wildfire status to ‘under control’ and said it is not expected to grow outside its current perimeter. 

Jim Lequiere, acting mayor of Fort St. John on May 3rd when he spoke to Energeticcity.ca, talked about the fire’s effect on the community. 

“Anytime that there’s a fire that close to our city, it’s a concern not only to us but to our businesses and the residents,” said Lequiere.

The acting mayor said the damage done to the city could have been far worse if the BCWS, Fort St. John RCMP and local fire departments had not acted quickly.

“[It was] a quick response from our first responders, whether it be the RCMP that went knocking on doors or our fire department, which are world class.”

Lequiere said the fire had a profound impact on the residents in the Fish Creek area who had to evacuate.

“No one likes to see the fire out there, particularly that close to town or anywhere in our area and it’s devastating to the residents that live in that area,” said Lequiere. 

“I actually have some relatives that live in the area that were evacuated and they’re happy to be home.”

He goes on to say the evacuees received any needed assistance. 

“The ones that needed a hotel room for the night or some food, they got that and they were very appreciative of it,” said Lequiere.

The evacuees were able to return home after one day because it was only a temporary tactical evacuation. 

The wildfire first ignited in the forest on May 1st and grew to a maximum of 110 hectares in size.