Evacuation alerts, second order issued for Pocket Knife Creek wildfire

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A second evacuation order, alert and expanded area restrictions have been issued due to the Pocket Knife Creek wildfire. 

On June 8th, the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) issued a second evacuation order for residents near the Pocket Knife Creek blaze, which has burned 61,050 hectares since its discovery on May 19th.

The following areas are specified under the second evacuation order:

• From kilometre marker 275 of Highway 97 north, just south of Buckinghorse River
• Following Highway 97 north, for a buffer ranging between 3.5km – 6.5km along Highway 97 north, on east and west sides
• North to kilometre marker 325 on Highway 97 north

Residents in this region are ordered to leave the area due to “immediate danger to life safety.”

The PRRD has also issued an evacuation alert for the following areas:

• Starts 3.4km west of the 330 mile marker of Highway 97 north on the Minaker River
• North for 7.1km
• West for 14.9km
• South for 7.5km
• East for 13.7km to the point on the Minaker River

Residents under an evacuation alert are advised to prepare themselves and their households for evacuation on short notice, according to the PRRD’s evacuation alert checklist.

Such preparations include gathering all family members and pets for a swift departure, gathering important items such as identification, medications, glasses, pets, credit cards, phones and important documents such as insurance, passports and birth certificates. 

These orders do not apply to First Nations communities on reserve lands or municipalities.

Evacuees are instructed to gather their family and, if room is available, neighbours or others needing transportation. 

They are told to gather critical items such as identification, credit cards, medicines, cell phones and chargers, as well as keys and pets. 

Residents evacuating the area are advised to contact the PRRD for Emergency Support Services by calling 1-800-670-7773 and leave the area immediately.

Anyone in the area is advised to check the PRRD’s online map tool to confirm if their address is included in any evacuation alerts or orders, and monitor DriveBC for changing road conditions.

The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) has also issued an area restriction in the region surrounding the wildfire which will remain in effect until October 15th, 2025 or until otherwise notified by the service. 

The order applies for Crown land within the following coordinates, starting from the northwest corner and working clockwise:

• 57° 41.452’N, 123° 59.747’W
• 57° 41.708’N, 122° 48.479’W
• 57° 23.112’N, 122° 34.623’W
• 57° 18.726’N, 123° 50.786’W

Individuals must not remain in or enter the restricted area unless they have prior written approval from an official, are traveling to or from a residence, using a highway, or entering as a person acting in an official capacity. 

Anyone found to be in the region without fulfilling one of those requirements could be given a violation ticket of $1,150.