Courtesy Nick Sedmak

By Sean Boynton, Global News/ Greg Fry CKPG Today

Wildfire near Fraser Lake

‘Human-caused’ wildfire breaks out near Fraser Lake

May 11, 2019 | 6:59 PM

FRASER LAKE — Update: Vanderhoof Mayor Gerry Thiessen, who also happens to be the chair of the Bulkley-Nechako Regional District, has reacted to today’s 260 hectare Lejac wildfire near Fraser Lake.

Thiessen said there’s still smoke tonight in Vanderhoof, but not nearly as much as there was earlier this afternoon.

He said the real concern was for the infrastructure in the Fraser Lake area.

“Certainly hydro lines are a concern and the sawmill, even though it’s across the highway, those are things I’m sure that cause everybody concern out there.”

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Thiessen said from what he’s heard, firefighters were able to provide “an immediate response” to the fire.

“We’re hearing from wildfire management it was an immediate response…We had quite a bit of wind in our area so that caused some concern this afternoon but we’re really hopeful it was addressed. We’ll see where it’s at in the morning.”

As for how many people are under evacuation order and alert, Thiessen said he didn’t have exact numbers.

“I heard there weren’t many residents in the order area but certainly quite a few in the alert area.”

He added clearly, it’s “not good” we’re already evacuating people and we’re not even half way through May yet.

“It wasn’t many years ago that we didn’t see forest fires until July or August. Now to see them into June and now May – this isn’t good at all and so hopefully we get this one out and we get some precipitation.”

Update: The Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako has declared a State of Local Emergency and released the details of its evacuation order and alert prompted by the human-caused 260 hectare Lejac wildfire.

The evacuation order is in effect for the following area:

South of Highway 16 to south of Roys Lake; West and East of Seaspunkut 4 (Lejac). See map by clicking here.

Evacuees:

In regard to Emergency Support Services (ESS) please contact the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako at 250-692-3195 or 1-800-320-3339 or Emergency Management BC at 1-800-663-3456.

Emergency Support Services can provide assistance for food, lodging, clothing, emotional support and family reunification for person under Evacuation Order.

If you require assistance in regard to livestock please contact the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako (RDBN) at 250-692-3195 or 1-800-320-3339.

Evacuees are also instructed to:

You must leave the area immediately. If you need transportation assistance from the area please advise the individual providing this notice or call the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako at 250-692- 3195 or Emergency Management BC at 1-800-663-3456.

Close all windows and doors.  Shut off all gas and electrical appliances, other than refrigerators and freezers. Close gates (latch) but do not lock.

Gather your family: take a neighbour or someone who needs help.  Take critical items (medicine, purse, wallet, and keys) only if they are immediately available. Take pets in pet kennels or on leash.

The Evacuation Alert is in effect for the area South of Highway 16 to south of Klez Lake and east of Drywilliam Lake.

If you require assistance in regard to livestock please contact the Regional District of BulkleyNechako (RDBN) at 1-800-320-3339 or 250-692-3195.

Update: The Lejac fire continues to grow.

Fire Information Officer Molly Blower with the Prince George Fire Centre says the fire is now estimated at 260 hectares in size.

In addition to that, she says the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako is in the process of implementing evacuation alerts and orders near the fire.

When posted, that information can be found at www.rdbn.bc.ca.

Update: The BC Wildfire Service says the human-caused fire that sparked earlier today, which is now known as the Lejac fire, has grown to 100 hectares in size and evacuations are now underway.

Fire Information Officer Molly Blower says it’s burning five kilometres east of Fraser Lake.

“Plans are underway for evacuations – both for orders and alerts and there have been tactical evacuations done by the RCMP on site.”

She adds there are now 20 firefighters on scene and notes they’ll be working throughout the night.

Earlier: A wildfire has broken out in B.C.’s Central Interior, and fire officials believe it to be human-caused.

B.C. Wildfire Service said the fire broke out Saturday and is burning roughly five km east of Fraser Lake, which is just west of Prince George.

The fire is currently 10 hectares, and Molly Blower from B.C. Wildfire said residents in the area are believed to be OK.

“There are evacuations for residents being assessed,” she said. “At this time the fire is suspected to be human-caused.”

Blower said 16 firefighters are on site along with air tankers.

Residents in the area who sent pictures to Global News said the fire appears to be spreading quickly, describing lots of smoke in the air.

BC Hydro reported nearly 20,000 customers in the region were without power Saturday afternoon due to a transmission circuit failure.

Those outages included parts of Fraser Lake along with Houston, Prince Rupert and Smithers.

BC Hydro wouldn’t say whether the outages were connected to the wildfire.

Another wildfire was discovered Saturday north of Fort St. John in the Charlie Lake area, which B.C. Wildfire Service said was less than a hectare in size.