A fire burning two-and-a-half kilometers south of Norman Lake has resulted in an evacuation of 80 residents.
The Ministry of Forests’ Wildfire Management Branch (WMB) issued the order Sunday, May 10 because of the growing fire estimated, as of Monday afternoon, to be 2,700 hectares in size.
WMB officer, Jill Kelsh, said the fire will likely continue to grow.
“It’s hard to say how long it might last but based on the sunny forecast we are expecting it will stay active and it’s about getting [residents out] and the resources there,” Kelsh said.
The effected area starts at the intersection of the Bobtail FSR and the Blackwater Road, south to the Bobtail Connector FSR, including all lands to the eastern boundary of the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako Electoral Area ‘F’ (Vanderhoof Rural), including the Little Bobtail Lake, Naltesby Lake, and Eulatazella Lake. An alert is also in place for areas north and west of Bednesti Lake and Berman Lake area. Residents within the evacuation order area must leave immediately and register at the closest Reception Centre located at the Vanderhoof arena at 340 Columbia St. East.
Fraser Fort George also has an evacuation order in place that actually goes across the regional district boundary, Bill Miller, chair of the RDBN said.
“It’s bigger than just our region. We also have an alert area beyond the evacuation area as well,” Miller said. “It goes north as far as HWY 16 and goes west as far as Sob Lake road. The eastern boundary for the RDBN is the eastern boundary with Fraser Fort George encompassing Cluculz Lake.”
As of Monday more than 100 staff including a specialized Incident Management Team and Structural Protection Units have been a, along with four helicopters and five peices of heavy equipment.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation but it is suspected to be human-caused.
To report smoke, flames or an unattended open fire, call 1 800 663-5555 or *5555 on a cellular phone. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako at www.rdbn.bc.ca, 1-800-320-3339 or 250-692-3195, or by contacting Emergency Management BC at 1-800-663-3456.
For the most up-to-date information on wildfires visit http://bcwildfire.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=526