After Wildfire Threat, Historic Mining Town of Barkerville in BC Plans to Reopen

The historic town of Barkerville in British Columbia, known for the gold rush, is scheduled to reopen on August 2 following a recent wildfire that caused evacuations earlier this month.

While the town’s programs will resume, guests should be aware of “elevated smoke” in the area, and its campgrounds, cottages, and guest houses will remain closed until around mid-August.

Visitors are encouraged to make arrangements to stay at the Historic St. George Hotel or in nearby communities that have also been affected by recent evacuation orders.

The Antler Creek wildfire, which prompted the evacuation order on July 21, affected not only Barkerville but also the nearby town of Wells and Bowron Lake Provincial Park.

Although evacuation alerts have been lifted as of July 29, the 143-square-kilometre wildfire is still not under control.

B.C.’s emergency management minister, Bowinn Ma, advises travelers to check the regional forecast, road conditions, highway closures, and evacuation alerts before visiting the area.

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“It is crucial to have an emergency kit in your car if you are traveling by car. Make sure to have enough water, food, extra clothing, and emergency supplies,” Ma emphasized, highlighting the unpredictable nature of wildfires and the rapidly changing conditions.

Following recent rains and cooler temperatures that helped decrease wildfire activity in the province, Barkerville is ready to welcome visitors again.

In the northern regions, conditions have improved enough for the province to lift campfire bans in the Prince George and Northwest fire centres starting August 1.

However, Chapman from the BC Wildfire Service warned on July 30 that a return to a hot and dry pattern in the south is expected by the weekend.

Many of the approximately 340 wildfires burning across B.C. are concentrated in the southeast, leading to the evacuation of hundreds of residents in the Slocan area due to the fire risk.