(Fort Nelson) The mayor of a northeastern British Columbia municipality says a tree felled by high winds fell on a power line and sparked a fast-growing wildfire, which forced the evacuation of thousands of people.
Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Mayor Rob Fraser said most of the 3,500 residents of and around Fort Nelson, British Columbia, have been evacuated since the Parker Lake fire broke out Friday. but the police knock on doors to make sure everyone gets out.
The Parker Lake Fire has grown to nearly 17 square kilometers, more than double the eight square kilometers reported Friday evening, and maps from the BC Wildfire Service show the fire approached just a few kilometers to the west of the Fort Nelson city limits.
9-1-1 and telecommunications were also disrupted in Yukon and northern British Columbia. Territorial authorities have asked Whitehorse residents in need of assistance to go directly to the local Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) detachment, fire stations or ambulance stations in different parts of the capital. .
An update from the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality says the fire situation “remains volatile and evolving rapidly.” Authorities urged all remaining Fort Nelson residents to evacuate, noting that a remaining 44-seat bus is still receiving passengers who have no other way to leave.
Evacuations were initiated for the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality and Fort Nelson First Nations Friday evening, after the fire grew at 5:25 p.m. from an initially reported size of half a square kilometer to four square kilometers at 6:30 p.m., then continued to grow exponentially since.
Residents were initially asked to flee to Fort St. John, about 380 kilometers to the southeast, on Friday, and the municipality’s update says those who can afford to travel further are encouraged to travel further. 440 kilometers south to Prince George, British Columbia, where a reception center has been opened.
Rob Fraser says the pace of the fire has since slowed, with winds calming significantly and reducing the rate of spread of the fire.
Environment Canada says winds around Fort Nelson have dropped to about 5 kilometers per hour after reaching 59 kilometers per hour on Wednesday.
High winds spread smoke from the fire across northeastern British Columbia and parts of Alberta on Saturday. Edmonton is under an air quality advisory, with danger levels assessed at more than 10 – or “very high risk” – expected throughout the day.
Meteorologist Heather Rombough says most of the smoke blanketing the city is from the British Columbia wildfire, and residents should stay indoors or at least avoid any strenuous activity outside until ‘so that air quality improves.
Fort Nelson is located in the far northeast of British Columbia, approximately 1,600 kilometers from Vancouver.
The BC Wildfire Service says the Parker Lake fire was “highly visible” from Fort Nelson, with Mayor Fraser describing “very dark” smoke emerging from the fire Friday.
The regional municipality says evacuees traveling south are entitled to free fuel at the Buckinghorse River Lodge, 176 kilometers south of the city on the Alaska Highway, upon presentation of proof of residency in Fort Nelson.
Environment Canada is not forecasting rain in the region until Wednesday evening and is forecasting only a 60 per cent chance of showers that night and Thursday.
“There doesn’t seem to be much precipitation in this area over the next few days, unfortunately,” lamented Mme Rombough. By the start of next week there might be a little bit, but really nothing significant. »