The Peace River Regional District issued a third Evacuation Order and a third Evacuation Alert on Monday, as the Pocket Knife Creek Wildfire continues to burn out of control.
The fire is one of three ‘Wildfires of Note’ in BC and has exploded in size to 61,050 hectares in size after merging with another blaze.
The Alaska Highway was closed Sunday, but re-opened before being closed again, from Km 252 to Km 365, due to the fire.
The Evacuation Order is in effect for properties in the following area:
- 4 km from a point North of Sikanni Chief Bridge
- From said point on Hwy 97N in a Southwesterly direction 57.5 km
- North 56 km
- To a point of intersection with existing evacuation Order #1
- Following Order #1 boundary Easterly direction to a point of intersection with the most Southwesterly tip of Evacuation Order #2
- Along the Southerly boundary of Order #2 to the Southeasterly most point
- Easterly 11km
- Southerly for approximately 15 km
- Approximately 10 km Southwesterly to a point of intersection with Hwy 97N
Includes portions of Sikanni Chief River, Chicken Creek, Grassy Creek, Trimble Creek, Trimble Lake and Colter Creek. This Evacuation Order includes the following addresses: 25752 PDR 156; 27239 Sikanni Chief Road and 26708 Sikanni Chief Road.
The Evacuation Alert is in effect for properties in the following area:
- From a point 1.4 km North of Sikanni Chief Bridge on Hwy 97N
- Easterly from said point on Hwy 97N 10 km
- Southeasterly approximately 9.4 km
- Southwesterly 11 km to a point of intersection with Hwy 97N
- Continuing southwesterly for 19 km
- In a Northwesterly direction 12.5 km
- Easterly 21 km to a point of intersection with Hwy 97N
Getting to the blaze has proven difficult. Helicopters and air tankers are fighting the blaze from above, while 70 firefighters and structure protection specialists are currently on scene.
It has been described as a highly vigourous surface fire. The blaze has been displaying rank 4 and 5 fire behaviour.
The fire was discovered on May 17th and was brought under control on May 27th. Due to hot temperatures and high winds, the fire started burning out of control once again a week and a half ago.
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