Evacuation alert issued for fires in the Shesta Lake & Punchaw areas

PRINCE GEORGE — The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George (RDFFG) in collaboration with Nazko First Nation has issued an evacuation alert for the Shesta Lake and Punchaw areas. This alert includes Nahlquonate 2 and Deep Creek 5.

Sharon Nickel of the Prince George Fire Centre says the two fires near Shesta Lake were suspected to be lightning-caused and were discovered yesterday (July 14). She estimates those two fires at 11 hectares and over 5.5 hectares in size respectively. These fires are located about 30 kilometres southwest of Prince George. She says the alert was prompted by the Grizzly Lake fire to the west and the potential for growth and the incoming smoke from that fire and the limited visibility in the area.

The fire near Punchaw was discovered today and is suspected to be lightning-caused. Nickel says it is currently being mapped at 16 hectares and is located about 25 to 30 kilometres south of Shesta Lake. She says the smoke from those three fires prompted an expanded evacuation alert by the Cariboo Regional District for the Titetown and Nazko North Area. This alert covers 66 711 hectares.