(Fort Nelson) The mayor of the regional municipality that includes the evacuated community of Fort Nelson, British Columbia, says he is optimistic, noting that crews have “very good control” of the forest fires burning outside the city and preparations are underway for residents to return home soon.
Rob Fraser says the first phase was to ensure it was safe enough to bring the emergency operations center back to town and the second phase concerned public services.
In a video update released Tuesday evening, Mr. Fraser explains that teams from electricity, natural gas and telecommunications were in town to ensure that these services were operational safely, before the big return of residents.
Mayor Fraser added that authorities were also working to ensure hospital and ambulance personnel were ready to return safely to Fort Nelson. Authorities will also contact operators of essential businesses, such as grocery stores and gas stations, to return to the city before the return of the approximately 4,700 residents.
Rob Fraser says recent rains helped crews fight the Parker Lake fire, which forced the evacuation of Fort Nelson and the neighboring Indigenous community on May 10.
The mayor said structure protection equipment is being transferred to trailers where it can be quickly redeployed if the 75-square-mile fire approaches the city again.
An update from the British Columbia Forest Fire Service says conditions remain favorable for firefighting Wednesday, but a “drying trend” is expected to re-emerge and continue late next week, in this region in the grip of a prolonged drought.
The service’s dashboard reported 112 active fires in British Columbia on Wednesday, nine of which are not under control, including Parker Lake and a larger one burning about 25 km northwest of Fort Nelson.