The Mayor of British ColumbiaB次元官网网址檚 Northern Rockies Regional Municipality says four homes have been lost and six other properties have been damaged by a wildfire that forced the evacuation of Fort Nelson more than a week ago.
Rob Fraser says three of the four homes were occupied and one was vacant, but heB次元官网网址檚 been able to speak with most of the owners whose properties have been damaged.
Fraser says the affected properties were on the outskirts of Fort Nelson, and the six others saw damage to sheds, shops and vehicles.
The mayor says thereB次元官网网址檚 been no official word on when it will be safe for residents to return as the BC Wildfire Service waits until itB次元官网网址檚 certain that the Parker Lake wildfire is B次元官网网址渂urning away from the community.B次元官网网址�
Fraser says returning B次元官网网址渆ssential servicesB次元官网网址� will be the first step in allowing residents to return home, including medical staff, grocery stores, gas stations and school board officials.
He says any potential return is still completely weather dependent, and despite recent rain, firefighters have told him the fireline is dry enough to compare to B次元官网网址渨alking on potato chips.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 very anxious. I mean, this is the start of a potentially really long season,B次元官网网址� Fraser said Sunday. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e surrounded by fire, weB次元官网网址檙e surrounded by heat in this community and weB次元官网网址檙e in a stage five drought.B次元官网网址�
In an update posted late Saturday, the municipality said forecasted rain has provided B次元官网网址渁 window for progress,B次元官网网址� but problematic drought conditions remain.
Fire crews have also placed B次元官网网址渟tructural protection measuresB次元官网网址� on 200 homes in Fort Nelson, and crews are being aided by both helicopters and heavy equipment, the update said.
The Patry Creek wildfire to the north of the town doesnB次元官网网址檛 pose an immediate threat, but the municipality warned the situation could change rapidly in the event of strong northerly winds.
Both Highway 97 and Highway 77 remain closed due to wildfires, but residents are now allowed to apply for permits allowing them to re-enter the town if they need to feed livestock or maintain critical infrastructure.
Fraser said Sunday that fire experts have indicated a re-entry plan would likely be on a 14-day timetable, but there are B次元官网网址渢oo many variablesB次元官网网址� to give people a solid answer on when it will be safe to return.
B次元官网网址淭wo weeks can be a long time. Look what happened in a few hours,B次元官网网址� Fraser said. B次元官网网址淲e ask every single day. WeB次元官网网址檙e asking ourselves, B次元官网网址榳hen can we get people back into the community?B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�
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