Date: August 7, 2017
Dear Area F resident
Today, we were able to announce the downgrading of some areas from evacuation order zones to alert, and the opening of the Likely Road. Areas downgraded to alert in Area F include Kengin Road, Deep Creek, Pioneer Place, and Skulow Lake. A new alert was issued yesterday for Quesnel Lake, from the North arm, through the junction and west to the end of the peninsula. This means that most of the central cariboo is now under alert, and certainly most of Area F. Those of us who are under evacuation alert must remain vigilant, packed and ready to go at very short notice if necessary. Even if you are not on alert (Horsefly and Likely are not), in these hot, dry, windy conditions, things can change quickly. Many of us throughout the area were nervously watching the plumes of smoke from nearby fires today, as the activity increased with the winds. This serves as a good reminder of the reason we are still under evacuation alert. I am always reassured if I see aircraft around, but by all means, if you think there is a new fire or that the Forest Service is not aware of increased activity, you should report it to 1-800-663-5555.
Those still under evacuation order in our area include Spokin Lake residents, and some seasonal cabins on the west shore of the North Arm of Quesnel Lake. Unfortunately, the Spokin Lake fire is still active, and it is not safe for those residents to go home just yet. There is some good news on that fire, however, as it is now 20% contained. Industry crews are making good progress on the Abbott creek fire on Quesnel Lake as well, although it is still out of control. That fire is around 200 ha, not 2 as previously reported. Aircraft have also been working on the UBC Research fire all evening, which is north of Big Lake in the Gavin Lake area, and also around 200 ha.
In my last report, I made a point of thanking some people who really helped me when I was away, to keep people informed and to help evacuees navigate the red tape in order to get the help they needed. Tonight I have some more people to add to the list:
A reminder that parks and rec sites are closed in our area, and that off-road vehicles are banned, as of noon Friday, August 4, due to the extreme fire hazard. There are stiff fines associated with the contravention of these bans.
I will try and get these updates out every few days as long as this situation continues. Thank-you for your continued support.
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.
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
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
Dear Area F resident
Today, we were able to announce the downgrading of some areas from evacuation order zones to alert, and the opening of the Likely Road. Areas downgraded to alert in Area F include Kengin Road, Deep Creek, Pioneer Place, and Skulow Lake. A new alert was issued yesterday for Quesnel Lake, from the North arm, through the junction and west to the end of the peninsula. This means that most of the central cariboo is now under alert, and certainly most of Area F. Those of us who are under evacuation alert must remain vigilant, packed and ready to go at very short notice if necessary. Even if you are not on alert (Horsefly and Likely are not), in these hot, dry, windy conditions, things can change quickly. Many of us throughout the area were nervously watching the plumes of smoke from nearby fires today, as the activity increased with the winds. This serves as a good reminder of the reason we are still under evacuation alert. I am always reassured if I see aircraft around, but by all means, if you think there is a new fire or that the Forest Service is not aware of increased activity, you should report it to 1-800-663-5555.
Those still under evacuation order in our area include Spokin Lake residents, and some seasonal cabins on the west shore of the North Arm of Quesnel Lake. Unfortunately, the Spokin Lake fire is still active, and it is not safe for those residents to go home just yet. There is some good news on that fire, however, as it is now 20% contained. Industry crews are making good progress on the Abbott creek fire on Quesnel Lake as well, although it is still out of control. That fire is around 200 ha, not 2 as previously reported. Aircraft have also been working on the UBC Research fire all evening, which is north of Big Lake in the Gavin Lake area, and also around 200 ha.
In my last report, I made a point of thanking some people who really helped me when I was away, to keep people informed and to help evacuees navigate the red tape in order to get the help they needed. Tonight I have some more people to add to the list:
- Our MLA, Coralee Oakes, who along with her staffers, Deb and Sheila, always made themselves available to me, and went the extra mile to help untangle some of the red tape getting in the way of people getting what they needed.
- Our Chair, Al Richmond, who has worked nonstop during this whole emergency (and is still working nonstop as the emergency continues), and yet always answered his cell phone if I needed an answer for someone.
- Fellow Directors Margo Wagner and Steve Forseth. More than colleagues, we are good friends, and we are all learning together as we work to keep all of you informed.
- Our EOC staff. These people are our CRD staffers taken away from their regular jobs, and they are staffers on loan to us from other local governments, who are providing us with the leadership we need to get us all through this crisis. They are doing so with patience, commitment and vision.
A reminder that parks and rec sites are closed in our area, and that off-road vehicles are banned, as of noon Friday, August 4, due to the extreme fire hazard. There are stiff fines associated with the contravention of these bans.
I will try and get these updates out every few days as long as this situation continues. Thank-you for your continued support.
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.
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
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