The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) has issued an Evacuation Alert for two areas west of Quesnel due to wildfires.
An Evacuation Alert has been issued by the CRD at the Emergency Operations Centre for eight parcels in the Townsend Creek area. This area covers 3,487 hectares in the general area of Lavington Road, Townsend Lake Road and Mount Creek Road.
According to the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), the Townsend Creek wildfire is located 2.5 kilometres east of Margaret Lake and is estimated to be 110 hectares in size as of Saturday night, July 8.
The fire was discovered earlier in the day at 1:17 p.m. and is believed to be caused by a lightening storm that swept over the region Friday evening, July 7.
It is impacting the Asserted Traditional Territory of the Tsilhqot’in Nation, Nazko Indian Band and Lhtako Dene Nation, notes the BCWS.
An Evacuation Alert has been issued by the CRD at the Emergency Operations Centre for 27 parcels in the Branch Road area. This area covers 19,329 hectares in the immediate area of Nazko, from about the Snaking River Forest Service Road to approximately Harrington Road and Warner Road.
The Branch Road wildfire was discovered Friday night, July 7 at 8:19 p.m. and, as of Sunday morning, July 9, is estimated to be about 75 hectares in size. It is located west of 7 Branch Road.
The BCWS is actioning this fire, which is impacting multiple traditional territories, with a full response.
The CRD Evacuation Alert warning says the following:
An Evacuation Alert has been issued to prepare you to evacuate your premises or property should it be required.
Residents will be given as much advance notice as possible prior to evacuation; however you may receive limited notice due to changing conditions.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO WHEN AN ALERT IS IN EFFECT
Upon notification of an ALERT, you should be prepared for the evacuation order:
Have a plan to transport all family members or co-workers outside of the area, should the area be brought under evacuation order.
Keep essential items readily available for a quick departure; including medications, eyeglasses, valuable papers (i.e. insurance), immediate care needs for dependents and, if you choose, keepsakes (photographs, etc).
Ensure that any dependents or pets are prepared for departure.
Move pets and livestock to a safe area.
Ensure that you have accommodation options for your family, if possible. A Reception Centre will be made available if required.
In the event of an evacuation alert, do not turn off your natural gas. Visit FortisBC for information on being prepared in an emergency related to your natural gas connection.
Monitor reliable news sources for information on evacuation orders and locations of Reception Centres, including CRD Facebook and website.
If you are on an evacuation ALERT, or if you have been displaced from your home due to an emergency, please self-register for Emergency Support Services. Self-Registration will reduce wait times for evacuees and assist in the referral process. https://ess.gov.bc.ca
Further information will be issued as it becomes available.
Please visit the CRD Emergency Operations Facebook page at facebook.com/CRDEmergencyOperations as well as the CRD website at cariboord.ca/EOC.
For more information contact the CRD’s emergency information line at 1-866-759-4977. The Public Information Line will be open until 9 p.m. tonight (July 8) and again from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. daily.
Residents are encourage to register for the Cariboo Chilcotin Emergency Notification System to receive a text, call or email regarding Evacuation Alerts and Orders.
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