Prince George, B.C. – Starting at noon today, the provincial government is restricting access for Crown land south of Vanderhoof.

The affected area is around the Big Bend Creek, Tatelkuz Lake, Lucas Lake and Chedakuz Creek wildfires southwest of Vanderhoof.

“This area restriction has been put in place to protect the safety of the public, as well as firefighting personnel as they continue fire suppression activities,” says the provincial government. “It will remain in effect until the public is otherwise notified.”

While the restriction is in place, no one is allowed to remain in or enter the designated restricted area unless that person is authorized to enter the area to travel to and from work or is a local resident who is travelling to and from his or her home.

The restricted area encompasses four fires of note:

• Tatelkuz Lake fire: This lightning-caused fire has burned 1,271 hectares about five kilometres west of Tatelkuz Lake, about 94 kilometres southwest of Vanderhoof .
• Big Bend Creek fire: This lightning-caused fire has burned about 2,062 hectares about 66 kilometres southwest of Vanderhoof.
• Lucas Lake fire: This lightning-caused fire has burned about 6,300 hectares east of Lucas Lake, about 90 kilometres southwest of Vanderhoof.
• Chedakuz Creek fire: This lightning-caused fire has burned about 2,355 hectares about 90 kilometres southwest of Vanderhoof.

The restriction order applies to all Crown land within the geographic boundaries outlined below:

• All roads accessed by the Kluskus Lavoie Service Road (Gold Road) beyond the 13-kilometre mark.
• All roads accessed by the Kluskus Forest Service Road beyond the 77-kilometre mark.
• All roads accessed by the Kluskus 500 Road beyond the 28-kilometre mark (the 528 sign) just west of Kenny Dam.

To see a map of the affected areas, click here.