Date: August 16, 2017
Dear Area F resident
I am really pleased that yesterday, we were able to announce the downgrading of evacuation orders to alert status in Spokin Lake, and north and south of Mountain House Road, as well as others in areas close to Williams Lake. This means that these folks are finally able to go home after a very long time evacuated. For all of you going home, you should be aware that you are returning to an active fire zone, and you should visit the resiliency centre in the Boitanio mall in Williams for re-entry tips. There is a re-entry booklet on our webpage as well. My heart goes out to all of you as you deal with what the fires have done to your homes and properties.
Those still on evacuation order include the north and west of Quesnel Lake, Maeford Lake, and McCauley Lake north to Gavin Lake. Details of the orders and maps can be found on our website. Those affected by these orders must leave immediately, in a calm and orderly fashion, and proceed to a safe spot. If you need Emergency Social Services to help with lodging, you should proceed to Prince George, where ESS is located in the Civic Centre. You can register for Red Cross there as well, or at the Resiliency Centre in Williams Lake. You can also register for Red Cross on line or by phone. Please respect these orders; they are put in place for your safety. If you do not leave, you may not be able to later if you change your mind, and you should know that you could be hindering the firefighting efforts by staying. Additionally, it is illegal to endanger minor children by keeping them with you.
Again, if you are on evacuation alert, you should remain packed and ready to leave on short notice at all times. Every time you leave your home, you should be aware you may not be allowed back, and you should take your valuables and your suitcase with you. You should also have an escape plan for your pets, in case you can’t get back to them. I know it’s getting old, but this is just as important today as it was a month ago. Likely and Horsefly are the only parts of Area F that are not on alert or order as of today. It is still important for all residents to remain vigilant and aware of the fires around you at all times. The alert was lifted in Williams Lake yesterday. This does not affect any of Area F.
The BC Wildfire Service ban on access to Crown land throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre is still in effect and was put in place to September 2nd. There is still a lot of misunderstanding around this ban, and here is some recent clarification:
The Horsefly Road, the Likely Road, and the Beaver Lake Road are all open today. The Mountain House Road is open today. The Beaver Valley Road is closed to through traffic due to the Prouton Lakes fire. The Ditch Road, a Forest Service Road, is closed except as above. The 8400 Road between Likely and Wells/Barkerville is closed except as above, and it is closed to through traffic due to wildfire activity at Maeford Lake.
For those who are unable to watch the daily update video because of slow internet, here are some of the highlights from last evening specific to our area.
Sincerely,
Joan Sorley
Director, Cariboo Regional District Area "F"
PO Box 147
Big Lake Ranch, BC V0L 1G0
250-243-2261, e-mail: [email protected]
Please pass along this report to anyone you feel may be interested. If you would like to be removed from my distribution list, please let me know.
Phone numbers:
EOC Info line: 1-866-759-4977
Forest fire reporting: 1-800-663-5555, or *5555 on your cell
Cariboo Fire centre: 250-989-2600
SPCA: 1-855-622-7722 weekdays 9am to 5:30 pm
Red Cross: 1-800-863-6582
Important links
To register for updates: https://member.everbridge.net/index/453003085612292#/login
Cariboo Regional District Emergency Operations Centre: http://cariboord.ca/services/emergency-and-protective-services/emergency-operations-centre-eoc
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CRDEmergencyOperations/
Drive BC for highway information: http://www.drivebc.ca/#listView
BC Wildfire service interactive map: http://governmentofbc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=a1e7b1ecb1514974a9ca00bdbfffa3b1&mobileBreakPoint=300
Link to BC Wildfire Backcountry Ban announcement: http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/wildfirenews/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=2848
Link to BC Wildfire FAQs on backcountry ban: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/wildfire-status/fire-bans-and-restrictions/faq_cariboo_fc_area_restriction_aug_11_2017.pdf
BC Parks: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/
Link to daily video update: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk6Y8zWI_hHJXMgSIiJB-9w
My Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Joan-Sorley-Cariboo-Regional-District-Director-Area-F
Red Cross: www.redcross.ca
Dear Area F resident
I am really pleased that yesterday, we were able to announce the downgrading of evacuation orders to alert status in Spokin Lake, and north and south of Mountain House Road, as well as others in areas close to Williams Lake. This means that these folks are finally able to go home after a very long time evacuated. For all of you going home, you should be aware that you are returning to an active fire zone, and you should visit the resiliency centre in the Boitanio mall in Williams for re-entry tips. There is a re-entry booklet on our webpage as well. My heart goes out to all of you as you deal with what the fires have done to your homes and properties.
Those still on evacuation order include the north and west of Quesnel Lake, Maeford Lake, and McCauley Lake north to Gavin Lake. Details of the orders and maps can be found on our website. Those affected by these orders must leave immediately, in a calm and orderly fashion, and proceed to a safe spot. If you need Emergency Social Services to help with lodging, you should proceed to Prince George, where ESS is located in the Civic Centre. You can register for Red Cross there as well, or at the Resiliency Centre in Williams Lake. You can also register for Red Cross on line or by phone. Please respect these orders; they are put in place for your safety. If you do not leave, you may not be able to later if you change your mind, and you should know that you could be hindering the firefighting efforts by staying. Additionally, it is illegal to endanger minor children by keeping them with you.
Again, if you are on evacuation alert, you should remain packed and ready to leave on short notice at all times. Every time you leave your home, you should be aware you may not be allowed back, and you should take your valuables and your suitcase with you. You should also have an escape plan for your pets, in case you can’t get back to them. I know it’s getting old, but this is just as important today as it was a month ago. Likely and Horsefly are the only parts of Area F that are not on alert or order as of today. It is still important for all residents to remain vigilant and aware of the fires around you at all times. The alert was lifted in Williams Lake yesterday. This does not affect any of Area F.
The BC Wildfire Service ban on access to Crown land throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre is still in effect and was put in place to September 2nd. There is still a lot of misunderstanding around this ban, and here is some recent clarification:
- A Forest Service Road is not a highway. Forest Service Roads are closed to the public unless one of the exemptions in the order applies.
- Under the ban only commercial boat launches would be open. All others are closed to the public unless an exemption in the order applies. All lakes are closed to the public unless part of a commercial operation or a client of one.
- Under the order, all residences are exempt, including seasonal residences.
- Under the order, commercial activities and ranching activities are exempt.
The Horsefly Road, the Likely Road, and the Beaver Lake Road are all open today. The Mountain House Road is open today. The Beaver Valley Road is closed to through traffic due to the Prouton Lakes fire. The Ditch Road, a Forest Service Road, is closed except as above. The 8400 Road between Likely and Wells/Barkerville is closed except as above, and it is closed to through traffic due to wildfire activity at Maeford Lake.
For those who are unable to watch the daily update video because of slow internet, here are some of the highlights from last evening specific to our area.
- The White Lake, Wildwood and Spokin Lake fires have allocations of 100 plus firefighters plus equipment to each fire. Residents will notice crews and equipment moving around as resources are re-allocated for effective fire suppression, and will continue to see smoke as crews start to attack the fires inside the perimetrer.
- The Prouton Lakes fire is now estimated at 770ha. Crews are working at establishing a new guard to the north, and will carry out some controlled ignition if conditions allow.
- The fires around Quesnel Lake and Likely have all grown in recent days. They range in size up to 4500 hectares, however there is no threat to communities at this time, other than those who are already under evacuation order. The fire behaviour observed is at the level of Rank 1, which means a slow ground fire. Industry partners are working on these fires with crews and equipment, while supported by fire behaviour specialists and aircraft where necessary.
- Weather for the next few days is predicted to be warmer with lower relative humidity, with another cold front arriving sometime Saturday.
Sincerely,
Joan Sorley
Director, Cariboo Regional District Area "F"
PO Box 147
Big Lake Ranch, BC V0L 1G0
250-243-2261, e-mail: [email protected]
Please pass along this report to anyone you feel may be interested. If you would like to be removed from my distribution list, please let me know.
Phone numbers:
EOC Info line: 1-866-759-4977
Forest fire reporting: 1-800-663-5555, or *5555 on your cell
Cariboo Fire centre: 250-989-2600
SPCA: 1-855-622-7722 weekdays 9am to 5:30 pm
Red Cross: 1-800-863-6582
Important links
To register for updates: https://member.everbridge.net/index/453003085612292#/login
Cariboo Regional District Emergency Operations Centre: http://cariboord.ca/services/emergency-and-protective-services/emergency-operations-centre-eoc
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CRDEmergencyOperations/
Drive BC for highway information: http://www.drivebc.ca/#listView
BC Wildfire service interactive map: http://governmentofbc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=a1e7b1ecb1514974a9ca00bdbfffa3b1&mobileBreakPoint=300
Link to BC Wildfire Backcountry Ban announcement: http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/wildfirenews/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=2848
Link to BC Wildfire FAQs on backcountry ban: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/wildfire-status/fire-bans-and-restrictions/faq_cariboo_fc_area_restriction_aug_11_2017.pdf
BC Parks: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/
Link to daily video update: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk6Y8zWI_hHJXMgSIiJB-9w
My Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Joan-Sorley-Cariboo-Regional-District-Director-Area-F
Red Cross: www.redcross.ca