Evacuation order issued for Pocket Knife Creek wildfire

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — An evacuation order has been issued by the regional district due to the Pocket Knife Creek wildfire which has grown to more than 60,000 hectares. 

On June 8th, the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) issued an evacuation order for residents near the Pocket Knife Creek wildfire. As of 1 p.m. on June 8th, the blaze has grown to burn 61,050 hectares.

The order applies for the following areas:

• An area starting approximately 9km west of Buckinghorse River

• Including all of Redfern Trail

• An area around Redfern Trail 4 – 7km wide

• Extending to the southeast end of Redfern Lake

The order does not apply to First Nations communities on Reserve Lands or municipalities.

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

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

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. 

Currently, the Alaska Highway (Highway 97) has been closed at kilometre 365 (Prophet River) and kilometre 252 (North Sikanni brake check) due to the blaze.

The order comes three days after an evacuation alert was issued by the PRRD for the same fire.

Prophet River First Nation issued an evacuation alert due to the wildfire on June 6th.