The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK), has issued an EVACUATION ORDER and EVACUATION ALERT in the area of Kootenay No. 3 Road north of Fairmont Hot Springs.

The EVACUATION ORDER includes 27 civic addresses in the Crooked Tree/Madias Creek area that were tactically evacuated earlier this afternoon, while the EVACUATION ALERTincludes 46 civic addresses in the Elkhorn area.

“Late this afternoon a tactical evacuation was performed by RCMP and RDEK firefighters in response to the rapidly evolving situation of the Madias Creek wildfire. They were quick to respond, and everyone was able to get out safely,” said Regional Emergency Operations Centre Information Officer Loree Duczek.

The RDEK’s Columbia Valley Regional Fire and Rescue Service and BC Wildfire have established unified command and have been battling the flames since they were discovered.

An Emergency Support Services (ESS) Reception Centre has been established at the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce in the Lion’s Hall (651 Hwy 93/95, Invermere) for those affected by the evacuation. Evacuees are asked to check in and register at the Reception Centre or online at ess.gov.bc.ca.

An information line has been set up at 250-426-2188 or toll free 1-855-346-2188 and, when not staffed, will have a recorded message with the most updated information.

Along with the RDEK Order and Alert, the ʔakisq̓nuk First Nation Council has issued an Evacuation Alert for the entirety of the ʔakisq̓nuk First Nation reserve.

A copy of the Order and Alert and associated maps are posted on www.rdek.bc.ca.

The BC Wildfire Service is providing detailed fire updates on the Madias Creek Wildfire onwww.bcwildfire.ca. This is the best place to get the most updated information on the fire.

RDEK

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