Officials with the District of Chetwynd says Highway 97 has re-opened to single-lane alternating traffic after being shut down last night (Wednesday) due to the Wildmare Creek wildfire.
The blaze sits at 76-hectares and is out of control and is suspected to be human-caused.
Fire Information Officer, Sharon Nickel told MyPGNow.com some rain during the overnight and early morning has assisted suppression efforts – 20 firefighters and helicopters who will be in charge of bucketing will be on site today (Thursday).
“With the active suppression that is going on, we want to make sure there is no immediate threat to public life and safety and that includes the safety of our responders.”
She added the Peace Region much like the entire Prince George Fire Centre is suffering from drought-like conditions.
“We are getting into the typical time of year where we see grass fires in the Peace. Also important to note in the first week of May is when we had the Teare Creek Wildfire near McBride and that was a significant fire as well.”
UPDATE: The #Evacuation Order for the Pine River area due to the Wildmare Creek wildfire has been DOWNGRADED to an Evacuation Alert. Residents may return home, but must remain ready to leave on short notice. The BC Emergency Alert issued by @prrdistrict has been cancelled. More… https://t.co/yBHiEQ0CUg
— Emergency Info BC (@EmergencyInfoBC) April 25, 2024
In addition, the Peace River Regional District rescinded its Evacuation Order west of Bisset Creek, south of Pine River and east to Wildmare Creek is still in place according to the Peace River Regional District.
It has now been downgraded to an alert.
The Evacuation Alert for other areas including the Fernando Subdivision and Highway 97 south has been cancelled.
UPDATE: the @prrdistrict has RESCINDED an #Evacuation Alert for the Pine River area due to the Wildmare Creek wildfire. The threat to life & safety has passed. More info: https://t.co/C5KivGYCBU #BCWildfire #Chetwynd #BCHwy97 https://t.co/IydbnAnsdy
— Emergency Info BC (@EmergencyInfoBC) April 25, 2024