Dear Area F resident
Subject: Area F wildfire 2017 Update 3
In this update, I will try and provide the most important information in one place, so bear with me if I am repeating something I already posted. At the bottom of this notice, there are several links to government websites where official information is posted. The situation is changing rapidly so please follow these sites if you are able. It is important that we remain calm, and stay assured that our local fire departments and the BC Fire Service are closely monitoring the situation, and that they are in close contact with our Emergency Operations Centre.
There were no re-entry permits issued today apart from the authorization letters issued by the community designated personnel. The weather forecast is for extreme thunderstorms, and if new fires are started, fanned by high winds, there is a strong possibility we will need to evacuate more people. If this happens, we will need to minimize the amount of traffic on the roads to avoid accidents. Some of you may remember the traffic fatality in Fort MacMurray last year as those young people were evacuating. Again, these are not political decisions but made by professional ministry, local government and RCMP staff. Safety is the primary concern, so if you do leave you should be prepared to stay away. The Cariboo Chilcotin has currently 34,380 residents under evacuation order or alert. (As of 4 pm today. Before I could get this published, the number has increased as new alerts are issued in the Chilcotin) Our main concern must be the safety of our citizens. We will re-evaluate tomorrow around noon. I understand the frustration, and thank you for your patience.
For those who are under Evacuation Order, if you have not already done so, you must leave immediately and proceed to the reception centre at the College of New Caledonia in Prince George. If you have accommodations elsewhere, and don’t wish to go to the reception centre, please call 250-398-5117 to register so that your loved ones will be able to find you. As of 4 pm today, areas in Miocene, 150 Mile House, Deep Creek, Skulow Lake, Pioneer Place and Lexington are under Evacuation Order. Links to the maps are posted at the bottom of this notice.
For those who are under Evacuation Alert, you should prepare to be evacuated by gathering the 4 P’s: people, papers, pictures, pets. (I would add medicines) I have provided a link to an FAQ page which has more information. As of 4 pm today, all of the rest of the Williams Lake fringe in Area F is under Evacuation Alert.
For all of the rest of us in Area F, in the absence of evacuation alerts or orders, we should be prepared to leave by gathering essentials because there may not be much time if it becomes necessary to evacuate. If you have not already done so, register for updates by following this link https://member.everbridge.net/index/453003085612292#/login If you decide to self-evacuate, please leave a note on the door that you are gone. There is no need to register at the reception centre because you will not be eligible to receive benefits.
People who wish to self-evacuate in Area F should take the following routes:
-Horsefly take the Beaver Valley Road to the Likely Road, then take the Beaver Lake Road to Hwy 97N to Prince George. Note: Horsefly is NOT under an evacuation alert as of 4 pm today.
-Miocene take the Horsefly Road to the Beaver Valley Road to the Likely Road, then take the Beaver Lake Road to Hwy 97N to Prince George.
-Big Lake take the Likely Road to the Beaver Lake Road to Hwy 97N to Prince George.
-Likely take the Likely Road to the Beaver Lake Road to Hwy 97N to Prince George.
Use extreme caution on these roads, and ensure you drive with your lights on so people can see you from behind. It is all open range and livestock are at large. Additionally there are more wildlife about than normal because of the fires, and they have babies right now.
Also, as of about noon today, the 8400 road between Likely and Wells is open. We are not recommending people use this road unless you are familiar with it. There are no services available to you along it.
I have no updated information on the Ditch road for today..
As of 4 pm today, there is no fuel in Horsefly, and they are expecting a delivery tomorrow. Likely and Big Lake have fuel. The stores in Likely, Horsefly and Big Lake are open and being re-stocked on a regular basis. The store in Likely has free dust masks available generously donated by Mount Polley Mining Corporation. I should also acknowledge that Mount Polley has generously donated protective equipment to our firefighters in Big Lake as well. Thank-you, Mount Polley!
If you need essential supplies (prescriptions, firefighting equipment, medical needs, baby formula, etc.) you must contact the community designate in your community and they will arrange delivery for you. Groceries are available in your community store, and they are getting regular deliveries. If you choose to leave for shopping, you must be prepared to evacuate if you are not allowed to go home. There is no guarantee you will be allowed back. Community designates are:
A. Likely: Lisa Kraus. 250-790-2449
B. Horsefly: Linda Bartsch. 250-620-3333
C. Big Lake: Leanne Schiemann Please stop in at the Big Lake Fire Hall or message her on Facebook. Chief Bruneski has asked that you not call the fire hall unless urgent as the phone is very busy and they only have one line.
D. Miocene: Ross McCoubrey 250-296-4285
The Fire Centre has established a command post at the Big Lake Fire Hall, and the Big Lake Fire Rescue has set up an information point at the fire hall. Note: not a gathering point, but if you need information, a place to get it. Non-emergency phone: 250-243-0060
The Horsefly Volunteer Fire Centre has set up a centre at the Horsefly Fire Hall manned 24 hours a day. Non-emergency number is 250-620-3333.
Canada Post has announced the suspension of mail delivery to all of our communities. They will hold our mail in a secure location until the emergency is over. Visit their website for more details.
BC Parks has announced the closure of all Parks and Rec sites in the area until further notice. Visit their website more information.
Here are links to official information:
Evacuation order and alert maps: http://www.cariboord.bc.ca/listit2alerts/fox-mountain-soda-creek-evacuation-order-1/83
FAQs: https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&ved=0ahUKEwjvy-Wr-_zUAhVIzGMKHZX2AhAQFgg_MAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cariboord.bc.ca%2Fuploads%2F2711%2FEOC_FAQ_2017-pdf&usg=AFQjCNH5op1ctHsle0BRUnANC5F3y_PRag
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CRDEmergencyOperations/
Drive BC for highway information: http://www.drivebc.ca/#listView
Wildfire map: http://openmaps.gov.bc.ca/kml/wildfire/map.html
Canada Post: https://www.canadapost.ca
BC Parks: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/
Also, feel free to like and share my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Joan-Sorley-Cariboo-Regional-District-Director-Area-F . I will do my best to provide regular updates as this situation unfolds. Above all, please stay calm and follow instructions of fire and police personnel if you are asked to leave.
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.