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Evacuation alert for Ta Ta and order for Cross River
A new Evacuation ALERT and ORDER have been issued tonight in the East Kootenay and a person-caused fire is burning east of Fernie.
The evacuation alert affecting nine properties including Nipika Mountain Resort in the Cross River drainage north of Radium has been upgraded to an evacuation ORDER effective immediately.
The Evacuation ORDER area includes seven properties on Settlers Road and two properties on Cross River Forest Service Road and the RDEK is in the process of advising the resort and impacted property owners. An Emergency Support Services Reception Centre is being set up at the Village of Radium Hot Springs office at 4836 Radium Blvd. Residents are asked to register at the Reception Centre.
Further south, the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) has just issued an evacuation ALERT for the Ta Ta Creek area after a cluster of new fires broke out west of the community late Friday afternoon.
“With the tinder dry conditions and a forecast this weekend calling for the possibility of strong and changing winds, we want residents within the evacuation alert area to be taking steps to be prepared to leave on a moment’s notice if conditions worsen,” said Emergency Information Officer Loree Duczek. The evacuation alert affects approximately 121 address points.
The fire is a cluster of three fires, which together are estimated to be approximately 200 hectares in size is being actioned by the BC Wildfire Service. The fires are not immediately threatening any structures or communities; however, the alert is being implemented to give residents time to prepare. “In addition to making personal preparations, we recommend anyone with livestock or other animals make plans for their animals at the alert stage. Should anyone in the alert area need assistance, they can contact the Emergency Information Line and we can connect them with resources.”
The RDEK encourages people within the evacuation alert area to put together important papers (like insurance papers), medications, valuables, supplies for children and pets, and other important items so that should they be asked to evacuate, they are ready to go.
Members of the Kimberley RCMP Detachment and Search and Rescue are assisting with hand delivering the alert notices in the evacuation alert area tonight. “We will be working from south of Farstad Way through Ta Ta Creek – and want to give residents the heads up to expect a knock on their door tonight,” said Duczek.
The alert area includes: the area west of the Kootenay River from just south of Farstad Way to south of Hahas Lake Recreation Site (known by locals as Stony Lake) Echoes Lake, McNair Lakes and Hahas Lakes.
“We need to stress that at this time, we have only issued an alert and now is the time to take steps to be prepared,” adds Duczek.
The RDEK has declared a State a Local Emergency for Electoral Areas F and G. This step is required anytime and evacuation order is issued.
Coal Creek fire
There is another new fire in the Elk Valley approximately 12 km east of Fernie.
The Coal Creek FSR Wildfire is estimated to be 160 hectares. This fire was discovered this afternoon and the cause is under investigation. This fire is highly visible from Fernie but is not currently threatening structures or communities at this time.
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.
For the latest status of wildfires
RDEK
