Mayor of BC Aims for Wildfire Evacuees to Return to Fort Nelson by Early Next Week

The mayor of the regional municipality that includes Fort Nelson, B.C., which was evacuated due to a threatening wildfire, is pushing for a May 27 or May 28 deadline to start allowing about 4,700 residents home after nearly two weeks.

Rob Fraser states that the “imminent risk” posed by the Parker Lake fire has been reduced, and officials are planning a phased approach to residents’ return.

In a video posted late May 22, he mentions that some doctors and grocery staff have returned to the community for restocking shelves.

Mr. Fraser confirms that water, hydro, and hydroelectric services are operational, and crews with FortisBC are examining the gas company’s infrastructure.

The mayor of the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality reveals that officials are contacting the operators of “phase three” businesses this weekend.

Expressing his happiness, Mr. Fraser discusses an end date to the evacuation that began on May 10 when the Parker Lake blaze was dangerously close to Fort Nelson.

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“If it keeps going the way it’s been going, we’ll be making a call here on the weekend, I’m pretty sure of that,” he said regarding the decision to lift the evacuation order.

Mr. Fraser mentions that the Parker Lake fire is smouldering but seems fairly “dormant.”

“The wildfire crews continue to work away, ensuring good containment and wet edges where it’s close,” he stated in a May 22 video.

An update from the BC Wildfire Service on May 23 notes favorable conditions for firefighting, although rising temperatures and dropping humidity are expected, along with wind gusts up to 30 kilometers an hour.

Mr. Fraser reveals that the Northern Rockies municipality is coordinating with officials in Taylor, B.C., to set up a meeting for Fort Nelson residents ahead of their return home.

“We’ll discuss the return plan and reach out to Fort Nelson First Nation for coordination as well,” he added.