The potential for falling debris and rock slides in a section of the Village of Zeballos prompted an expanded evacuation order Friday night for nine homes, as a precautionary measure

B次元官网网址淓veryone that was to be evacuated was notified last night. People had some advance warning that it was coming and everyone has been evacuated,B次元官网网址� said Meredith Starkey, village deputy Chief Administrative Officer. B次元官网网址淓veryone had different places that they went, so we were able to find housing in town for one family and most had other friends or family that they were able to stay with.B次元官网网址�

The evacuation order issued on Zeballos Aug. 18 was expanded offically today but took effect last night due to the danger caused by a potentially unstable slope above the village that is the site of a wildfire that had been burning since early August.

B次元官网网址淔ollowing the preliminary post-wildfire slope assessment, the Evacuation Order on the east side of Maquinna Avenue has been expanded,B次元官网网址� a notice on the Village of Zeballos website says.

The order issued by the village under the recommendation of the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources Operations and Rural Development.

B次元官网网址淎ll those affected were notified last night, but the Order took effect this morning at 8 a.m.B次元官网网址� the village order says. B次元官网网址淭his Order is due to the risk of rock and debris falls. A more detailed slope stability assessment will be completed as soon as possible.B次元官网网址�

Starkey said the order appears to be more precautionary than anything.

Since the wildfire started back in August, people have heard rocks falling but now that the rain has returned, a preliminary post-wildfire assessment was done which told them that they needed to do a more detailed one to verify the safety of the slope.

B次元官网网址淟ooking at that, they knew that there was some risk from falling debris,B次元官网网址� Starkey said.

The situation has left people feeling a bit apprehensive but it sounds like people are holding up.

B次元官网网址淚 would say people are glad to see the rain because theyB次元官网网址檙e glad for the fire to be not a threat in itself and, of course, weB次元官网网址檙e used to rain out here but thereB次元官网网址檚 just a lot of uncertainty about the slope and so I think weB次元官网网址檒l all feel better once that assessment is done and we know a little bit more about what weB次元官网网址檙e up against,B次元官网网址� Starkey said.

One resident, Margaret Miller, who lives on the perimeter of the evacuation zone, not in it, reported to Zeballos Emergency ProgramB次元官网网址檚 facebook site that she was hearing loud noises coming from the slope and wanted some information.

She decided to relocate herself but has returned to her home.

When contacted by The Campbell River Mirror, she said it was quite a scary thing to hear.

B次元官网网址淚 couldnB次元官网网址檛 see anything but the noise was so loud,B次元官网网址� Miller said. B次元官网网址淚 went to see my son who lives on the other side of the bay. He took me in for the night.B次元官网网址�

The order posted on the Village of ZeballosB次元官网网址� website says:

B次元官网网址淥n the recommendation of the Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resources Operations and Rural Development, an Evacuation Order has been issued by the Village of Zeballos due to immediate danger to life safety due to potential debris falls or slides. Members of the RCMP and Zeballos Emergency Program will be expediting this action.B次元官网网址�