FORT NELSON -- The Mayor of Fort Nelson says residents are happy to be back home after being evacuated due to wildfires more than two weeks ago.
Rob Fraser says the joy of evacuees returning is still mixed with apprehension since the community had never before experienced a wildfire evacuation.
Fraser says a banner hung from a ladder truck welcomed home residents returning from the evacuation after the order was lifted early Monday. Fraser says people should be prepared to leave again if needed.
A Water Quality Advisory (WQA) has being issued for the Fort Nelson Community Water System due to the recent wildfire activity in the area.
This WQA has been issued as a precaution to address potential concerns resulting from the reduced demand on the community water system and stagnation within service lines as a result of the evacuation.
Northern Health recommends that children, pregnant women, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems drink boiled or an alternate source of water at this time as a precaution.
Northern Health recommends all residents returning to community, flush all household fixtures to help remove any stagnant water within the service lines. Water sampling throughout the distribution system will be completed early next week by the operator.
Mayor Fraser is also warning other mayors to get their wildfire plans in place now. "This can happen anywhere right now the way things are happening across Canada. With the weather change as well as the fires season we seem to be having right across Canada, if you don't have a plan get with those professionals who can help you make that plan,' said Fraser
Eleven structures were impacted by the fire. Four homes were destroyed, all but one of them were occupied, leaving 3 families displaced.
The Parker Lake wildfire is now classified as being held by the B-C Wildfire Service. It is still not yet fully extinguished and residents are now under an evacuation alert.
With files from The Canadian Press
