UPDATE: Temporary entry permits process for areas under evacuation orders

UPDATE: According to the PRRD, BC Wildfire has advised they are placing Structure Protection Units on both sides of Hwy 97 at Red Creek wildfire as a precautionary measure. Learn about SPUs at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/wildfire-response/wildfire-personnel-and-response-tools/structure-protection

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) has put a temporary entry permit process in place for those who need to return to areas under an evacuation order.

To apply for the temporary entry permit, call 250-784-4832 before 5 p.m.

The district and the BC Wildfire Service will assess permit applications.

Cliff Chapman, director of wildfire operations for the BC Wildfire Service, said the northeast corner of B.C. is still a high fire hazard region in a provincial wildfire update Monday afternoon.

He said with little to no precipitation in the seven-day forecast, the trend will spread throughout the province as the week progresses.

The BC Wildfire Service has gained an increase in its budget to operate year-round on wildfire preparation.

Additionally, Chapman’s team is watching the weather forecast and moving resources around based on that information to prepare.

Currently, there are 62 active wildfires in British Columbia, and 91 per cent are under control or being held.

Five wildfires remain out of control, and all wildfires of note are in the Prince George Fire Centre.

A 16-person BC Wildfire Services incident management team has been sent to Alberta to assist with their efforts on the Boundary Lake wildfire.

The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) reduced the size of the evacuation order on Sunday while an evacuation alert remains in place. 

Areas of Red Creek are also under an evacuation order, and others are under an evacuation alert.

There are approximately 19 active wildfires in northeast B.C.

Wildfire smoke from northern Alberta and local fires still affects northeastern B.C., despite the risk listed as low on the air quality index website.

Updates on evacuation alerts and orders in the regional district will be posted on PRRD’s website.

For the latest information on wildfires, visit BC Wildfire Service’s website.