(Photo credit: B.C. Wildfire Service)
West Kiskatinaw River wildfire

Tumbler Ridge residents allowed to return home after evacuation order lifted

Jun 15, 2023 | 10:38 AM

TUMBLER RIDGE — The evacuation order for the District of Tumbler Ridge has been lifted, meaning residents will soon be able to return to their homes.

As of 10:00 am today (June 15), the evacuation order for the District of Tumbler Ridge has been lifted, but an evacuation alert for the community will remain in effect indefinitely. Roughly 2,400 residents of the community were evacuated on June 8. Residents are reminded to be ready to evacuate the area with little notice should the need be determined.

Area in yellow remains under an evacuation alert. (Photo credit: District of Tumbler Ridge)

Highway 52 N from Dawson Creek is now considered safe and will reopen at 10:00 AM.

Highway 52 E – Open from Kelly Lake to Tumbler Ridge. There is a wildfire between One Island Lake Rd and Kelly Lake Rd for 22.7 km, this section of road is closed.

The Bear Hole Lake area restriction order is still in effect in the South Peace fire complex area.

The nearby West Kiskatinaw River is an estimated 25,095 hectares and is still burning out of control and the BC Wildfire Service says that Wednesday’s rainfall is expected to reduce fire behaviour over the next couple of days.

In a Facebook post, the District of Tumbler Ridge says that “returning Evacuees that require transportation back to Tumbler Ridge from Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, or Chetwynd are directed to contact the Fort St. John ESS Reception Centre at 250-794-3310. You need to call by NOON in order to book a place on the bus for today.”

Twitter: @AdamBerls

Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com

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