MEDIA RELEASE
Evacuation Order Lifted for the Communities of Fort Nelson and Fort Nelson First Nation
May 27, 2024 – FORT NELSON, B.C. – The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (NRRM) and Fort Nelson First Nation (FNFN) are pleased to announce today that the Evacuation Orders for Fort Nelson, Fort Nelson First Nation, Highway 77 North, and Highway 97 South including the 292 Subdivision are jointly rescinded, which opens the community for a full return.
Coined the Parker Lake wildfire, on May 10, 2024 a report of a wildfire came into Northern Rockies Fire Rescue at approximately 1530. Due to extreme drought and high wind conditions at the time, the fire grew rapidly and displayed extreme fire behavior at one point moving at a pace of 1 km/hr.
With the fire posing an immediate threat to public safety due to the conditions in both the rural and settled community of Fort Nelson, a tactical evacuation was undertaken for residents in the immediate vicinity, with a State of Local Emergency declared at 1645 that same day by the communities of Fort Nelson and Fort Nelson First Nation. At 2230, the Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) for Fort Nelson and Fort Nelson First Nation issued an Evacuation Order for the largest populated areas of the community and continued evacuating all residents, which eventually included the EOCs themselves.
On May 15, 2024, a low-pressure system moved through the Fort Nelson area, bringing precipitation and cooler temperatures. These conditions supported crews in suppression efforts over the following days which included structural fire protection, prescribed fuel management, and aerial response along with a deployment, at its peak, of over 200 wildland and structural firefighting personnel. The coordinated efforts of the Northern Rockies Fire Rescue, dozens of Fire Rescue Departments from across the province including the City of Fort St. John, Charlie Lake and Beaverly, and the BC Wildfire Service made incredible gains, with the help of favorable weather conditions, to mitigate the further spread of the fire in areas with residential impact.
A week later, on May 22, 2024, together with BC Wildfire Service, the NRRM EOC relayed that the imminent risk of wildfire to the community had been significantly reduced, and as such the NRRM transitioned to a focus on community safety and sustainability from an essential and critical service perspective.
Over the coming week, the EOCs for NRRM and FNFN worked tirelessly to recall and support the re-establishment of essential and critical personnel, agencies and businesses - first at a limited capacity and then to a point that the health and welfare of the community as a whole could be functionally served upon their full return.
“We are overjoyed to be returning to our homes and lands, and our hearts are filled with gratitude and appreciation for all of the hard work of the BC Wildfire Service, local firefighters, and all other emergency services personnel that came to our aid. Many emergency service workers left their homes and families to come north to help save our communities and we owe them a debt of gratitude.” Says Chief Sharleen Gale, Fort Nelson First Nation. “We understand that not everyone gets to return home, and some may not be returning home to the same property they left, our hearts are sad for these families and our prayers are with them. The recent trial of having to jointly evacuate our communities, more than 4500 people, and our ability to work together to provide quality care for our evacuees is an exemplary demonstration that together we are stronger.”
"It is with relief, optimism and some sadness that I make this announcement. I am relieved because the risk with the Parker Lake wildfire and the safety concerns have been mitigated to the point that we can bring everyone home. Optimism because with recovery comes the opportunity to reflect and analyze what we did, how we felt, the plans we made, and knowing that we will get together and come up with good ideas to help this situation be better if we ever have to go through it again” said Mayor Rob Fraser of the NRRM, “I have sadness as well, because this fire did cause damage, costing some people their homes and some property owners a significant amount of damage. I hope everyone out there will show some compassion for those people who experienced some loss."
Although the evacuation order has been lifted, it is important to note that active fires remain in the area. Consequently, an Evacuation Alert will stay in place until all risks are fully mitigated. This decision is supported by assessments from BC Wildfire specialists, the NRRM and FNFN Emergency Operations Centers, and the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre.
Several properties have been damaged by the initial fire and are currently unsafe for public access. A Prohibit Entry Order will remain for these areas until they are secured. Only property owners, their designates, or other permitted personnel may enter these areas under a permit issued by the NRRM EOC.
The NRRM and FNFN have worked together to host a Resiliency Center for returning residents, starting Monday, May 27 at 12:00 p.m., where Red Cross cleaning kits will be available, as well as information on re-entry, recovery, and the event. As a one-stop location for resources, starting Tuesday, May 28 at 12:00 p.m. and through the week, the full range of resiliency services will be available including Service Canada for Employment Insurance support and document replacement, the Literacy Society for computer literacy and settlement support, insurance representatives, counselling, emotional and spiritual support, and culturally appropriate support.
Copies of the Evacuation Rescind Order and Evacuation Alert are available at https://nr.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/214140. Detailed information for residents is available through the NRRM website at www.northernrockies.ca/parkerlakefireupdates or www.northernrockies.ca/cominghome. Additionally, FNFN has prepared a checklist for community members which is available on their website at http://www.fortnelsonfirstnation.org/emergency-management
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Media Contacts:
Jaylene MacIver, Information Officer
Northern Rockies Regional Municipality
P: 250-775-0933
E: communications@northernrockies.ca
Cathy Murphy, Information Officer
Fort Nelson First Nation
P. 250-500-1200
E. communications@fnnation.ca
*Photo credit Jennifer Johnson