Summit Lake wildfire evacuation order expanded

FORT NELSON, B.C. — An evacuation order issued by the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (NRRM) has been expanded due to the Summit Lake wildfire.

The area now under the new evacuation order is:

• Along the Alaska Highway corridor from Summit Lake campground within Stone Mountain Provincial Park (mile 392, kilometre 630) from the northwest point (58°42’2.23″N 124°39’43.41″W) to the southwest point of (58°38’16.21″N 124°39’40.50″W).
• Along the Alaska Highway corridor to and including the Muskwa River boat launch (mile 319, kilometre 513) from the northeast point (58°49’55.80″N 123°33’20.62″W) to the southeast point of (58°46’58.64″N 123°30’28.12″W).
• Excluding the Alaska Highway corridor (Highway 97) itself, subject to closures as directed by BC Wildfire Service (BCWS).

An evacuation order means people living there should leave immediately or risk “fatal” consequences.

The evacuation alert previously issued by the NRRM, which is adjacent to the order area, remains in place. 

According to the BCWS, the fire has grown to burn 38,499 hectares and is listed as ‘out of control.’

“The Summit Lake wildfire continued to grow on Monday, June 9th, displaying extreme fire behaviour,” said BCWS.

“Extreme fire behaviour and heavy smoke prevented ground crews from being able to safely engage in suppression operations and danger tree assessments along the transportation corridor.”

The response to the blaze includes 115 firefighters, 15 aviation aircrafts, an incident management team, heavy equipment, water tenders and more. 

According to the service, winds – which can drive growth in wildfires – subsided overnight and are expected to remain at 10 to 15 kilometres per hour today with gusts up to 30 kilometres per hour.

BCWS said Highway 97 between kilometre 485 and kilometre 648 is expected to remain closed north of Fort Nelson until this afternoon.

The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (NRRM) advises those under an evacuation alert to locate all family members and designate a meeting place outside the evacuation area; fill gas tanks, arrange accomodation if possible; and pack essential items such as an ID, medications, eyeglasses, papers (insurance, credit and mortgage information) and, if time and space permits, keepsakes.

The NRRM first issued the evacuation order on June 6th. 

The fire was first discovered on May 28th and the suspected cause is lightning.