‘Under 100’ people remain in Fort Nelson area as nearby Parker Lake fire grows: Mayor

Fort Nelson’s mayor says the community is on edge as it waits to see how the Parker Lake fire progresses.

Rob Fraser, mayor of the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, said he estimates under 100 people are left in the community, after the BC Wildfire Service issued an evacuation alert for the area Sunday.

Fraser said that isn’t an exact count, but it means his municipality has successfully evacuated “3,500 people,” to the closest community to the south.

“Sometimes these people who said they weren’t going to go don’t answer the door. So we don’t know if they’re still in community, or if they’re just not answering their door,” said Fraser.

As of Monday afternoon, the Parker Lake fire was listed at just over 5,000 hectares according to the BC Wildfire Service.

Despite its growth, Fraser says it has yet to touch the municipality itself.

“The fire is not in the community. We still have electricity. We still have water. All of those essentials to life are still available to us. If the wind and weather conditions stay in our favour, then we might be able to dodge a bullet but it’s way to early to tell that yet.”

Fraser said the winds are “all over the map,” and BC Wildfire Service said weather conditions may compromise eventual escape routes.

In a video released Sunday, BC Wildfire Service Director of Provincial Operations, Cliff Chapman said “the wind is going to be sustained, and it is going to push the fire towards the community. “

“If you are still in Fort Nelson,” said Chapman. “I encourage you to leave.”

On Saturday, Fraser said the wildfire started when a tree blown down by strong winds fell onto a power line.

Fraser said Sunday, crews are doing everything in their power to prevent the fire from moving in if westerly winds pick up.

“Just pray that the winds don’t come from the west, or maybe they go northwest, which will help them blow it south of the community, and that would really help us,” he said. “But we’re as ready as we can be with the assistance from the province to make the last stand.”