Fort St. John under evacuation alert due to wildfire

The entire City of Fort St. John is now under an evacuation alert due to a fast-moving wildfire.

The city says the alert covers all properties, noting the Stoddart Creek fire has prompted the BC Wildfire Service to make such a recommendation.

According to a notice from the city, the alert is being issued to help locals prepare to leave should that be necessary.

“Residents will be given as much advance notice as possible prior to evacuation; however, you may receive limited notice due to changing conditions,” the city explained.

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To prepare, people in Fort St. John are being told to find all family members or coworkers and designate a location outside the area should an evacuation order be issued.

People should pack essentials, including government ID, medication, valuable paperwork, “and, if time and space permits, personal keep sakes.”

As of Monday afternoon, the Stoddart Creek fire was an estimated 13,000 hectares. It is burning northwest of Fort St. John.

Individuals in the vicinity of existing wildfires are urged to stay alert and aware of the current wildfire situation and seek the most up-to-date evacuation info from their regional district, First Nation or other local authority. #BCWildfire @PreparedBC @EmergencyInfoBC

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) May 15, 2023

The fire has also prompted the Blueberry River First Nations to issue an evacuation order, with the Nation saying its leadership “has decided we will not take any chances.”

“Please take your bags, your pets, your valuables, and things that mean the most to you,” the Nation told its residents. “Please go to the North Peace Arena to check in and then make your way to the Ramada (Norther Grand) or the Pomeroy Hotel and await further instruction regarding the fire and returning to the community.”

The Nation says the BC Wildfire Service has set up a staging area at the school in the area to help “secure structures and set up a sprinkler system in the community.”

Anyone still in the Blueberry River First Nations is asked to get debris, such as law chairs, tables, tents, and anything that can ignite, away from homes.