‘Leave now’: Residents told to heed evacuation orders or risk ‘fatal’ consequences

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — People at risk of wildfires must leave immediately if they are put under an evacuation order or risk “fatal” consequences.

This is the message of the Peace River Regional District (PRRD, which issued a press release urging residents in the line of wildfires to leave immediately upon receiving an evacuation order.

Evacuation orders have been issued for areas in the County of Grande Prairie in Alberta and the Kelly Lake community in B.C. because of the blaze on the border near the Kiskatinaw River. 

The district said the fire, now at 7,385 hectares, cannot “be contained” and the rescue of trapped residents “may not be possible.”

“First responders may be forced to leave the area due to intensifying conditions,” reads the release issued on Thursday, June 5th. “This means that the fire may be fatal to those in its path. We strongly urge everyone to leave now.

“Evacuation orders are recommended by BC Wildfire Service when there is a threat to people, homes or critical infrastructure.”

At a media briefing on June 4th, BCWS fire information officer Karley Desrosiers said “as things get warmer, drier and windier, we are going to see even greater wildfire growth in the coming days.”

PRRD Emergency Operations Centre director Ryan Kirkham reiterated during the media briefing that residents should leave as soon as possible.

“If you are located in an evacuation order area, it is urgent for you to get out of that area.” said Kirkham to members of the media.

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