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Fort Nelson First Nation rescinds Fontas area evacuation order

The Fort Nelson First Nation says the evacuation has been rescinded due to the risk of danger to life and property diminishing.

By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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Forest Fire News

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June 26, 2025

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A 12,409-hectare wildfire on the south end of the Fort Nelson River, which started on June 2nd. (BC Wildfire Service)

FORT NELSON B.C. — Fort Nelson First Nation (FNFN) has lifted the evacuation order for the Fontas area that was first issued earlier in June.

Issued on Tuesday, June 24th, the notice says the area, including the Fontas reserve, has been rescinded due to the “imminent risk of danger to life and property” having been severely diminished.

Several wildfires are in the area, including the 12,409-hectare fire near the Fort Nelson River, west of Sikanni Old Growth Provincial Park.

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However, the notice does say an evacuation alert “may need to be reinstated” should the situation change.

BC Wildfire Service still lists an active evacuation alert, issued on June 3rd by FNFN, on its website.

An alert means residents of an area should make preparations for an evacuation, but should not leave yet, while an order means residents should evacuate immediately.

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This comes as wet and stormy weather sweeps across northeast B.C.

The latest wildfire information and coverage is available on Energeticcity.ca’s wildfire page.

Authors

Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A guy who found his calling later in life, Edward Hitchins is a professional storyteller with a colourful and extensive history.

Beginning his journey into journalism in 2012 at Seneca College, Edward also graduated from Humber College with an Advanced Diploma in Print and Broadcast Journalism in 2018. After time off from his career and venturing into other vocations, he started his career proper in 2022 in Campbell River, B.C.

Edward was attracted to the position of Indigenous Voices reporter with Energeticcity as a challenge. Having not been around First Nations for the majority of his life, he hopes to learn about their culture through meaningful conversations while properly telling their stories.

In a way, he hopes this position will allow both himself and Energeticcity to grow as a collective unit as his career moves forward and evolves into the next step.

He looks forward to growing both as a reporter and as a human being while being posted in Fort St. John.

This reporting position has been funded by the Government of Canada and the Local Journalism Initiative.