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Prophet River First Nation starts voluntary evacuations for vulnerable community members

Prophet River First Nation has started voluntary evacuations for at-risk residents due to wildfire concerns, including the incident near Pocket Knife Creek.

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The Pocket Knife Creek wildfire burns south of Fort Nelson on June 8th, 2025. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, B.C. Wildfire Service)
The Pocket Knife Creek wildfire burns south of Fort Nelson on June 8th, 2025. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, B.C. Wildfire Service)

PROPHET RIVER, B.C. — Battered by wildfires within the area, Prophet River First Nation (PRFN) has started voluntary evacuation of Elders, youth and at-risk residents with health concerns.

Several wildfires, including one near Pocket Knife Creek, have already prompted the First Nation community on mile 233 on the Alaska Highway to issue cancellations for several events.

PRFN’s latest update issued to LinkedIn on Tuesday, June 10th said while there was no “immediate threat” with fires being as far as 50 kilometres away, preparations were already underway as it does acknowledge “shifting winds may change conditions.”

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“Transportation and accommodations are being coordinated,” the post reads. “Please stay prepared.”

PRFN has posted daily updates from Chief Valerie Askoty on its LinkedIn page.

Check Energeticcity.ca’s wildfire coverage for the latest up-to-date information about northeast B.C.’s wildfire activity.

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Authors
Ed Hitchins

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.

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