FORT ST. JOHN -- The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality issued an Evacuation Order over the weekend.
The municipality says the Order is due to immediate danger to life safety caused by a wildfire in the area of Highway 77 at the Fort Nelson River in pursuit of Section 12 (1) of the Emergency Program Act.
The Evacuation Order is a distance on Highway 77 approximately 8 km south of the Fort Nelson River Bridge to a distance approximately 25 km north of the bridge.
The Evacuation Order is in effect for the following area, shown on the map above in red:
- An area bounded on the northwest side at 59 29.58'N,
- On the southwest side at 59 15.32'N, and
- To an eastern point of 122 15.44'W following the Fort Nelson River.
According to DriveBC, a forest fire has caused the distance between the start of Highway 77 to the British Columbia and Northwest Territory Border. There are trees and debris on the road. They are advising drivers to avoid the area as emergency crews are on the scene.
Those who need transportation assistance are being asked to call the Fort Nelson Emergency Operations Centre at 250-775-0933. Before leaving, residents are being asked to close all windows and doors, shut off all gas and electrical appliances, other than refrigerators and freezers, and close gates (latch) but not lock and take all critical items.
