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Evacuation Order and Alert due to Horsethief Creek Fire
The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK), has issued an EVACUATION ORDER for 25 dwellings and a number of recreation sites in the Horsethief Creek and Bear Mountain area due to the Horsethief Creek Fire in the Columbia Valley.
“This is a highly visible fire and has grown rapidly since it started this afternoon. As a result, the BC Wildfire Service has recommended we issue an Evacuation Order for an area nearest the fire and an Evacuation Alert for a number of properties nearby,” said Information Officer Loree Duczek.
The ORDER includes an area that covers:
FORESTER FSR TO THE NORTH
LAKE ENID RECREATION SITE TO THE EAST
BEAR MOUNTAIN TO THE SOUTH
BRUCE MOUNT SERVICE ROAD TO THE WEST
The ALERT has been issued for 1,041 dwellings including:
PANORAMA
WESTSIDE ROAD FROM INVERMERE TO RADIUM AREA
FORSTER
LILLIAN LAKE RECREATION SITE
A copy of the Order and Alert and associated maps are posted on www.rdek.bc.ca.
The RDEK has prepared an Evacuation Alert checklist to help assist those within the Alert prepare. “This is the time to get organized, put your important papers, medications, pet supplies, grab and go kits and other important items together so that you can leave on a moment’s notice if required,” stressed Duczek.
The RDEK is also encouraging those within the Alert area to pre- register all household members on the provincial Evacuee Registration & Assistance (ERA) Tool at ess.gov.bc.ca.
Commercial producers needing assistance with relocation of livestock can contact the Emergency Information Line to access support through the Ministry of Agriculture.
“Provincial Emergency Support Services (ESS) are available only to those with a primary residence in the affected area, so as part of their preparedness planning at the Alert stage, we are encouraging second homeowners or vacationers to plan to return to their primary residence in the event of an Evacuation Order,” added Duczek.
The Emergency Information line has been activated as part of the regional response to the wildfires. The numbers are 250-426-2188 or toll free 1-855-346-2188 and, when not staffed, there will be a recorded message with the most updated information.
The RDEK has also declared a State of Local Emergency for Electoral Areas F and G, which is part of the process when an Evacuation Order is issued.
The Horsethief Creek fire broke out July 24 and quickly grew and is now estimated at 300 hectares. It is located on Bruce Mountain approximately seven kilometres north of Panorama Mountain Resort and 10 kilometres west of Invermere.
BC Wildfire Service has made the fire a Wildfire of Note and the most up-to-date information will be available on the Wildfire of Note page on www.bcwildfire.ca.
Lead image: The Horsethief Creek Wildfire a few hours after starting July 24. Carol Gordon & James McElroy photo
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