Officials have issued an evacuation alert in the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality because of fire burning 110 kilometres north of Fort Nelson.
All residents, camps and worksites in an area bounded by the longitudes 121 degrees 15.0’ West to 120 degrees 50.0’ West, the Pettitot River to the North and the pipeline to the south are affected by the alert because of the Pettitot River Fire.
The alert does not mean people need to evacuate yet, but it does mean they should be prepared to do so.
Officials advise family members and co-workers communicate about a meeting place outside the evacuation area, should there be an evacuation called; those affected should gather medications, eye glasses, important papers (like insurance documents), any essential supplies needed to care for dependents and pets and only if convenient, small keepsakes.
The Penn West Wildboy natural gas plant is inside the evacuation area.
Aside from the Pettitot River Fire, the Prince George Fire Centre is dealing with 32 other active fires, including the Mount Bigfoot fire, located 90 km southeast of Fort Nelson, and the Little Bobtail Lake Fire, which was discovered in early May.
Fire crews responded Sunday to eight new wildfires in B.C.’s northeastern region. All of them are believed to have been caused by lightning. Many are in remote areas with limited ground access.
Further information on the Pettiot River Fire situation is available from the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality in Fort Nelson at 250-774-2541 or at www.NorthernRockies.ca.
