The wildfire that forced almost 5,000 people to flee is now burning just 2.5 kilometres from the community of Fort Nelson.
B次元官网网址淓verything is focused on the protection of the community of Fort Nelson and Fort Nelson First Nation,B次元官网网址� Cliff Chapman, director of provincial operations with the B.C. Wildfire Service, said Monday (May 13) during a joint update with B.C.B次元官网网址檚 Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma. B次元官网网址淭hat is where all of our resources are assigned.B次元官网网址�
The human-caused Parker Lake wildfire expanded rapidly since its discovery on May 10. It has grown to 5,280 hectares and is only expected to worsen in the next 24 to 48 hours with strong western winds expected to pick up in the region. The regionB次元官网网址檚 prolonged drought is also contributing to what Chapman called B次元官网网址渆xtreme fire behaviour,B次元官网网址� which crews are currently encountering.
B次元官网网址淪o ground operations are often compromised, so our focus really is about trying to do structure protection, structure defence and reinforce our guards on this fire, using heavy equipment and air support,B次元官网网址� he said.
Chapman said 69 B.C. Wildfire Service staff are currently on site with additional resources on the way. Other available resources include six fixed-wing air tankers and 19 helicopters, he added.
Chapman said B.C. Wildfire Service is mobilizing additional resources from within the service in responding to the Fort Nelson as well as other fires in the Prince George Fire centre.
B次元官网网址淎dditionally, we have tremendous support from municipal fire departments and local governments in response to both the Parker Lake wildfire and any other additional fires we have in the Prince George Fire Centre,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淎t this time, we do not require additional resources from outside (B.C.).B次元官网网址�
But he added that those outside resources can become available quickly, when needed.
B次元官网网址淚 think we need to realize that this is a very active situation right now,B次元官网网址� Ma said, when asked to rate the probability of property damage. B次元官网网址淭he focus is on fighting the fire and on keeping evacuees safe and supporting evacuees during what is likely to be one of the most difficult times in their lives.B次元官网网址�
Ma acknowledged that people will have questions about existing and projected damages.
B次元官网网址淣ow is not the time to talk about that,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲e need to focus on fighting the fire together.B次元官网网址�
Ma said fire activity will likely become more volatile beginning Monday afternoon. She said the majority of people under evacuation order have left as directed, but some people have chosen to stay. She urged those people to leave as soon as possible.
Evacuees from the region are receiving food and accommodation at reception centres in Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Chetwynd and Prince George.
Ma said she hasnB次元官网网址檛 heard of any evacuees who havenB次元官网网址檛 found accommodation, but added that her ministry is launching a Service B.C. call centre on Monday that anyone can call if they need assistance.
Air quality warnings have also been issued in the area. Environment Canada says wildfire smoke is expected in the northeast for at least the next 24 to 48 hours. Similar warnings cover northern Alberta, also as a result of the Parker Lake blaze.
Across B.C., 136 wildfires are actively burning as of Monday morning.
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