Unedited, as I am posting from my phone.
Evacuation Alerts & Orders Update
For Peace River Regional District
Based on the current conditions and in consultation with BC Wildfire, the PRRD is not anticipating any changes to its Evacuation Order and Alert areas today. It’s important to note that the wildfire situation remains volatile in the region, and the best way for residents to stay informed about Evacuation Orders and Alerts is to sign up for North East BC Alerts at NEBCAlerts.com.
“It’s been a challenging month for our region, and I can’t say enough about the amazing work being done by the Emergency Support Services volunteers and staff, the emergency personnel out in the field dealing with the wildfire impacts – including members of the Charlie Lake Fire Department and many of our member municipality fire departments who are helping our neighbours in Tumbler Ridge – and the many community members who continue to step up to help each other,” says Leonard Hiebert, Chair, Peace River Regional District. “Our Emergency Operations Centre team is working closely with BC Wildfire to ensure we can keep you informed about Evacuation Orders and Alerts, and we all hope to see a shift in the weather soon to help knock down the fires in our region. In the meantime, thank you to everyone who is involved in supporting our region as we deal with these wildfire emergencies.”
TEMPORARY ENTRY PERMIT PROCESS IN PLACE FOR PRRD AND TUMBLER RIDGE
There is a temporary entry permit process in place for the West Kiskatinaw River and Peavine Creek wildfire Evacuation Order areas. The PRRD is coordinating the temporary permit process for its region and in partnership with the District of Tumbler Ridge for its municipality.
Temporary entry permits are for essential personnel only – people who have a legitimate need to temporarily enter evacuated areas, such as to take care of livestock or maintain critical infrastructure or other essential services. These permits are required if requesting access into or via roads that run through an Evacuation Order area.
To apply for a permit to temporarily enter an area under an Evacuation Order, there is an online Temporary Entry Permit Application at prrd.bc.ca.
The PRRD Emergency Operations Centre, District of Tumbler Ridge and BC Wildfire will screen the applications and will assess safety risks. Permits will be authorized on a case-by-case basis. The goal is to review applications for next-day access, and access is based on a safety assessment. Applications must be submitted prior to 4:30 p.m. to be considered for the next day.
OVERVIEW OF PRRD EVACUATION ORDERS AND ALERTS
State of Local Emergency Declarations remain in place for Electoral Areas B, D and E. The following overview is a summary of the current status of Orders and Alerts for wildfires in the PRRD region, and no changes are anticipated today.
West Kiskatinaw River Evacuation Order #3
This Evacuation Order includes areas to the District of Tumbler Ridge municipal boundary in the west and to the One Island Lake community in the east. It does not apply to the District of Tumbler Ridge. The Evacuation Order affects approximately 55 properties in One Island Lake. Most of the remaining Order area is sparsely populated, but it does include Bearhole Lake provincial Park, which is closed due to the wildfire risk and Evacuation Order for the area.
Anyone who has not yet evacuated is urged to do so immediately. For residents whose properties are in the Evacuation Order area, the Reception Centre in Dawson Creek has hotel and camping spaces available today. For after-hours ESS support, call 250-794-3310.
Peavine Creek Evacuation Order #1
The Peavine Creek Evacuation Order affects nine properties, and the rest of the affected area is sparsely populated.
Peavine Creek Evacuation Alert #1
The Peavine Creek Evacuation Alert replaced the West Kiskatinaw Evacuation Alert, and it affects 76 properties in the Kelly Lake community. The remaining areas under this Alert are sparsely populated.
Donnie Creek/Tommy Lakes Alert #7
The Donnie Creek/Tommy Lakes Evacuation Alert #7 was issued Jun. 8, 2023 and applies to an expanded area that includes a small number of rural properties.
The PRRD rescinded its Evacuation Order #5 for the area on Jun. 8, 2023 as an Area Restriction Order managed by BC Wildfire is now in place in the vicinity of the Donnie Creek Complex of fires.
