The Kiskatinaw River Wildfire that is threatening Kelly Lake has forced close to 70 people from their homes. But not everyone has obeyed the Evacuation Order. According to the Dawson Creek RCMP, 17 individuals have decided to stay, along with several pets that were left behind.
Kelly Lake resident Barb Belcourt was forced to leave her home on Thursday evening. She is grateful for all of the firefighters and workers, that have helped her since she fled the wildfire.
“It’s devastating, it’s heartbreaking because I’ve lived there for 30 plus years. It’s my home. I raised my children there. I raised my grandchildren there.”
Belcourt had high praise for the people who are working at the Kelly Lake Evacuation Reception Centre in Dawson Creek.
“They treated me kindly, respectfully, very understanding. They were wonderful and I was even given a coffee.”
The reception centre is located at the Sudeten Hall, 1901 Alaska Highway in Dawson Creek. Evacuees are being asked to register at the centre.
Evacuee can expect help with lodging, food, clothes and even things like pet supplies.
“We make sure that their heads are in beds, so we provide lodging support. That could be hotels, it could be campsites or potentially people could be staying in billeting or staying with friends. Then we support them in food. So that could be vouchers for groceries or it could be vouchers to actually go to our local restaurants and establishments,’ said Chelsea Mottishaw, the Liaison for the Kelly Lake Evacuation Centre.
On Friday and Saturday, the reception centre will be open from 10am to 2pm. Mottishaw says the hours for Sunday have yet to be determined. Evacuees are being asked to go the City of Dawson Creek’s website for more information.