Planned evacuation of 70 Mile House takes effect as BC Wildfire Service anticipates ‘extreme fire behaviour’

“The Pear Lake wildfire and Fiftynine Creek wildfire merged as of Sunday and this updated number of properties impacted includes all areas that are under Evacuation Order from both fires,” the TNRD said in a statement.

“If you are in the described area, you must leave immediately. A person must not enter the Evacuation Order area for purposes of residing, occupying, or visiting the area.”

Evacuees from 70 Mile House and area are being told to head to the Williams Lake Emergency Support Services Reception Centre at the Cariboo Memorial Recreational Complex at 525 Proctor Street.

Monday morning, the TNRD also expanded its evacuation alert to include seven additional properties in Electoral Area “E” (Bonaparte Plateau), bringing the total number of properties on alert to 443 properties. Properties issued evacuation alerts Monday are as follows:

8400 Big Bar Rd.
8500 Big Bar Rd.
8600 Big Bar Rd.
8605 Big Bar Rd.
7620 Meadow Lake Rd.
7624 Meadow Lake Rd.
7628 Meadow Lake Rd.
Any other properties as outlined on this map.

“This Evacuation Alert is in place to prepare you to evacuate your premises or property should it be found necessary. Residents will be given as much advance notice as possible prior to an Evacuation Order; however, you may receive limited notice due to changing conditions,” the TNRD said in its statement.

The Bonaparte First Nation has also issued evacuation alerts for IR #1, IR #2 and IR #3 due to the potential threat posed by the Pear Lake fire. A total of 89 properties are covered by the Bonaparte’s alert, which was issued on Saturday.

The BC Wildfire Service expects unfavorable weather to continue posing challenges to firefighting efforts.

“With the dry conditions returning and stronger wind it is likely that we will see extreme fire behaviour and column development. We are anticipating increased growth on these incidents,” the BC Wildfire Service said in an online update.

“Fuels remain heavily impacted by drought throughout the area and are highly susceptible to increased fire behaviour.”

The BC Wildfire Service notes the fire has crossed over a stretch of Highway 97, which remains closed to traffic, and that it would require repairs. The BCWS added structure protection crews are working on triage and value protection where they anticipate fire growth.

“Along the southeast flank of the fire where it is burning around the Village of Clinton, structure protection personnel and firefighting crews are focusing on structure defense,” the BC Wildfire Service said. “Crews are working off of Highway 97 on the southeast corner of town where machine guard has been established and crews our mopping up to extinguish the fires edge.”

“Crews and heavy equipment are establishing machine guard between the fires edge and the Village of Clinton, where the fire has yet to burn into the interface area.”

by Elora McCormack

Planned evacuation of 70 Mile House takes effect as BC Wildfire Service anticipates ‘extreme fire behaviour’

Our Community