The Williams Lake Emergency Services is ready to receive more evacuees, as a new evacuation order was issued on Sept. 7.
At 1 p.m. on Sept. 7, an evacuation order has been issued by the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) for 85 parcels, including 42 structures, in the Smokey Lake Fire Area.
The order area covers 67,537 hectares in the Tatla Lake area, in the West Chilcotin.
Tatla Lake is a small community about 220 km west of Williams Lake on the Chilcotin Plateau.
Due to immediate danger to life and safety due to wildfire in the area, residents are asked to leave the area immediately.
The evacuation route is to head east on Highway 20 to Williams Lake. Highway 20 is closed to the west for nearly 70 km between an area 18 km east of Firvale in the Bella Coola Valley to 6 km west of Anahim Lake due to wildfire activity in that area.
RCMP and others will be expediting the evacuation order in the Tatla Lake/Smokey Lake wildfire area.
Evacuees can pre-register using the BC Services app in order to expedite access to services and emergency funds.
"It makes life so much easier," said Dave Dickson, director of emergency support service for the city, which has an agreement to provide support with the CRD.
"It's really a slick system," he said of the pre-registration, but noting many people in the Chilcotin may not have smart phones in order to use an app, but will still be able to receive help in person at the emergency support services centre.
A reception centre to provide refreshments, information and supports for evacuees has been set up at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex (CMRC) in Williams Lake. For help once the centre is closed, people can contact emergency support services at 250-267-4871.
While about 100 people had been processed as of Sept. 6, more will be expected with the new order in place. Support workers are encouraging people to access friends and family for places to stay if they can, as accommodations in the community are now maxed out. About 40 people were able to be placed in local hotel rooms, with others being sent onward to Prince George or Kamloops. Those with livestock will be able to get information on some options as well.
"People have been wonderful," said Dickson, of the evacuees and people coming to offer what support they can.
"That's what it's about, helping people," he said.
An evacuation alert is in place for other parts of the Tatla Lake area, including the West Chilcotin Health Centre, located in Tatla Lake. While the centre remains open as usual for appointments and on-call services, Interior Health will continue to monitor the situation and follow the direction of the CRD.
If you are in an area under an evacuation order:
• You must leave the area immediately. Follow the evacuation route provided.
• Gather your family; take a neighbour or someone who needs help.
• Take pets in pet kennels or on leash.
• Take critical items (medicine, purse, wallet, and keys) only if they are immediately
available.
• Close all windows and doors; Close gates (latch) but do not lock.
• Do not shut off your natural gas. FortisBC will turn off natural gas service as needed.
• Do not use the telephone unless you need emergency service.
• Do not use more vehicles than you have to.
• If you have homeowners’ or tenants’ insurance, contact your insurance
provider to arrange for living expenses such as accommodation and food.
• To receive Emergency Support Services, please self-register using the Evacuee
Registration & Assistance (ERA) tool at https://ess.gov.bc.ca/, (if not already done),
or report at the ESS Centre at Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex, 525 Proctor
Street, Williams Lake.
• Emergency Support Services will be provided only if your primary residence is on an
evacuation order.
• Residents who choose not to evacuate should understand they stay at their own
risk. Responders may not be able to come to your rescue if it is unsafe to do so.
For more information, visit cariboord.ca/emergency, or contact:1-866-759-4977
