Smoke from a wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C., is seen in this shared on social media on May 9, 2024.
The entire population of Fort Nelson, B.C., and the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, are under mandatory evacuation orders due to a rapidly spreading wildfire discovered approximately 12 kilometers west of the town in northeastern British Columbia.
The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality issued urgent evacuation instructions via social media on Friday evening, urging residents to head south towards Fort St. John, about 375 kilometers away. For those with recreational vehicles or personal vehicles, fuel stations are being arranged along the evacuation route, and individuals capable of assisting others in need of transportation are encouraged to do so.
The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), along with local authorities, is responding to the unfolding situation, conducting tactical evacuations of neighborhoods near the fire. The fire, initially estimated at 50 hectares, quickly expanded to 400 hectares within an hour and then doubled to 800 hectares by 8 p.m. The blaze is highly visible from Highway 97 and is currently impacting the roadway, leading to anticipated closures.
Authorities believe the wildfire to be human-caused. Evacuees are advised to secure their homes by closing and locking all windows and doors, and turning off gas and electrical appliances, except for refrigerators and freezers.
Fort Nelson, with a population of over 2,600 according to the 2021 census, serves as the civic and commercial center of the region. The Fort Nelson First Nation, home to approximately 419 people, is also under evacuation orders.
A reception center is being established at North Peace Arena in Fort St. John, with further updates on additional centers forthcoming. Highway 97 north of Fort Nelson remains closed, with no expected updates until Saturday afternoon.
This wildfire incident is separate from two other out-of-control fires in the vicinity, which prompted evacuation alerts earlier in the week due to potential threats to life and health. Authorities are closely monitoring weather conditions, with a wildfire incident management team deployed to establish a command center in anticipation of worsening conditions over the weekend.
Forest Minister Bruce Ralston emphasized the deployment of ground resources, helicopters, air tankers, and firefighting crews to augment existing regional resources. Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, Bowinn Ma, urged residents to remain vigilant and prepared, particularly in light of forecasted high temperatures, which could exacerbate wildfire activity.
