Premier David Eby says his government is in contact with officials in northeastern British Columbia, where an out-of-control wildfire has prompted evacuations.
The Peace River Regional District issued an evacuation order on May 29 due to the Kiskatinaw River wildfire, directing residents to a reception centre in Dawson Creek. The order includes Kelly Lake, a community of about 75 people located approximately seven kilometres from the Alberta border.
Officials said Monday that most residents in the evacuation zone have left. The district has also issued an evacuation alert for nearby areas, advising residents to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
Eby commented on the situation in Vancouver on Saturday, just before departing on a 10-day trade mission to Asia.
“It’s awful for those community members who have been displaced from their homes, and we’ll provide them with all the support they need,” he said.
Eby noted that B.C. firefighters are also assisting with wildfires in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, where thousands of people have been forced from their homes.
The Kelly Lake Cree Nation said in a May 31 Facebook post that all its community members are safe. It said most have relocated to Dawson Creek, while “others have selflessly chosen to stay behind to look after our beloved community, which is truly heartwarming.”
The B.C. Wildfire Service reported Monday that the Kiskatinaw River wildfire had grown to just over 3,900 hectares. Strong winds over the weekend fanned the flames and pushed the fire eastward, and dry, windy conditions could pose further challenges for firefighters.
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