Cariboo Fire & Evacuation Update

By Michelle Cyr-Whiting

File photo of Dog Creek/Alkali Lake fire          courtesy of CFC's Cliff Chapman

Prince George, B.C. -  Hundreds of property owners are under full evacuation order or evacuation alert in the Cariboo Fire Centre region, as fire officials gear up for what could be a terrible turn in their efforts...

Approximately 1800 personnel are working all out as the region prepares for the worst, due to the forecast cold front moving in. Fire Information Officer, Erin Catherall, says extreme winds and lightning strikes are being anticipated, as a result of the turn in the weather.

She says Initial Attack crews are available for any new fire starts as a result of dry lightning.  Catherall says crews already on the ground have spent the day working hard to construct guards on the eastern edge of the Meldum Creek fire complex -- that's where the fires are threatening to jump to the Fraser River and move into Williams Lake.

The City of Williams Lake issued an evacuation alert for property owners and residents in that area earlier today.  The city and Cariboo Regional District opened a joint Emergency Operations Centre last night.  Media Liaison Officer Shelly Burich says anyone needing information on the evacuation alerts and orders in the region can call 250-392-4283. (click here for CRD EOC website)

Here is a rundown of the alerts and orders in place:

# of residences affected              Evacuation Order                    On  Alert

Pelican Complex                                              47                                      25

Tsacha Lake                                                      8                  

Heckman Pass                                                 306 (Anahim Lake)

Central Chilcotin/Bull Canyon                        155                                   439

Meldrum Complex                                             258                                  496 (this covers the alert issued to residences in Williams Lake)

 Burich says, so far, between 450 and 500 people have registered for emergency social assistance in Williams Lake.  She does not yet have any numbers from Quesnel.

For the very latest on B.C.'s wildfire situation, residents are being directed to www.bcwildfire.ca

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