Peace River Regional District issues Sundance Lake evacuation alert

CHETWYND, B.C. — A wildfire in the Sundance Lake area near Chetwynd has prompted the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) to issue an evacuation alert.

The 40-hectare fire near Highway 97 was first discovered by the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) on Wednesday, June 4th.

In issuing the alert, the PRRD said: “Due to the potential danger to life and health, an alert was necessary.

“Locate all family members and designate a meeting area outside the evacuation area,

should an evacuation order be declared while separated.”

Those in the following areas are under evacuation alert:

• From the intersection of Highway 97 south and Melnychuk Road

• North for 4.8km,

• Easterly for 7.5km,

• South for 5.5km to Highway 97 south

• Southwest along Highway 97 south for 0.7km

• Continue southwest for 2.27km

• Continue west for 4.46 km

• North for 0.3km to the intersection of Highway 97 south and Melnychuk Road

The fire is currently ‘out of control,’ meaning it is expected to expand beyond its current perimeter.

The BCWS says 25 personnel, along with heavy equipment and helicopters, are responding to the flames.

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