Fort Nelson First Nation issues wildfire evacuation order for Fontas

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Fort Nelson First Nation has issued a evacuation order due to several wildfires in the Fontas area (Fort Nelson First Nation, Facebook)

FORT NELSON, B.C. — Three days after issuing an alert, Fort Nelson First Nation (FNFN) has announced an evacuation order of the Fontas area, effective immediately.

The order was made by the FNFN on Friday, June 6th. The announcement was made with “an order pursuant to the authority of the council under sections 81 and 88 to evacuate these areas” with the concern being around “the interest of life and safety.”

Wildfire activity is prominent in the area, including a fire that measures 1,710 near the area where the Sikanni River and Fort Nelson River meets.

“Due to the risk of wildfire, the Fort Nelson First Nation is urging residents and visitors to evacuate,” reads the order posted on Facebook Friday morning.

The area is described in the notice as the following:

Fontas #IR1.
76 kilometres southeast of the community of FNFN.
61 kilometres northeast of the community of Prophet River.
The north bank of the Fontas River, 1.6 kilometres east of the mouth of the Sikanni River.
A latitude and longitude of 58°17’9.24 degrees north and 121°43’36.73 degrees west, which includes one inhabited home and cultural sites.

Those issued the order are asked to “evacuate immediately” and do the following:

Take an emergency survival kit.
Take prescription medicines and identification for family members.
Listen to the radio to hear instructions from emergency personnel.
Shut off gas, water and electricity if instructed to do so.
Make arrangements for any pets, with local emergency officials providing information about doing so.
Wear clothes and shoes appropriate for the conditions.
Lock the home.
Follow the routes provided by emergency officials, with an emphasis on not taking “shortcut routes” as it could lead to a “blocked or dangerous area.”
To leave a note if possible, explaining the situation to loved ones you are unable to contact.
Turn off all water sprinklers to conserve water for firefighting efforts.

FNFN has said the notice will stay in place for at least seven days unless otherwise cancelled by the First Nation.

Further information is available by calling FNFN’s emergency operations’ office at 250-775-0716.