Plans in Motion for Fort Nelson Residents to Return Home After BC Wildfires
The mayor of the regional municipality that includes the evacuated community of Fort Nelson, B.C., expresses optimism that crews have a good handle on the wildfire burning outside town and are making plans for residents to return.
Rob Fraser explains that the first phase involved ensuring the safety to move the Fort Nelson emergency operations center back into town after being relocated due to the fire threat earlier this month. The second phase involves restoring utility services.
Mr. Fraser provides an update in a video posted on late May 21, mentioning that hydro, natural gas, and telecommunications crews are in town working to ensure safe restoration of services.
The mayor of the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality confirms that officials are preparing for the return of hospital and ambulance staff.
He also states that essential businesses such as grocery stores and gas stations will be contacted to return before the approximately 4,700 residents come back.
Mr. Fraser notes that recent rains have been beneficial for crews fighting the Parker Lake fire, which led to the evacuation of the town and neighboring Fort Nelson First Nation on May 10.
Related Stories
The mayor mentions that structure protection equipment is being relocated to trailers for quick deployment in case the 123-square-kilometer blaze reignites.
An update from the BC Wildfire Service states that firefighting conditions were favorable on May 22, but a drying trend is expected to continue into next weekend in the drought-affected region.
The wildfire service dashboard indicates 112 active wildfires across B.C. on May 22, with nine categorized as out of control, including the Parker Lake fire and a larger blaze about 25 kilometers northwest of Fort Nelson.
