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Evacuation Alert area expanded for St. Mary River Wildfire
With the continued growth of the St. Mary River wildfire, the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK), in cooperation with ʔaq’am, early this morning expanded the Evacuation Alert area to include 11 additional dwellings.
One dwelling on reserve is part of the expanded Evacuation Alert area, along with the remaining properties on LD Ranch Road near Cherry Creek and Buckman Road near Fort Steele. A total of 43 dwellings are now on Evacuation Alert in the vicinity of this wildfire, in addition to the dwellings on Evacuation Order within the ʔaq’am community.
“With the evolving nature of this wildfire, it is critical for residents to ensure they are staying aware and informed,” explained Regional Emergency Operation Centre Information Officer, Loree Duczek. “The Evacuation Alert stage is the time to prepare in the event conditions worsen and you need to leave immediately.”
Residents with livestock or large animals within the Alert area are encouraged to find a place to relocate their animals, and anyone with boats or recreational vehicles needs to move them at the Alert stage as they cannot be moved in the event an Evacuation Order is issued.
Other steps that those within the Evacuation Alert area can take now to prepare include:
• Make a family reunification plan;
- Gather important items such as medications, insurance documents, valuables, supplies for children and pets, and other important items;
- Register for the Regional Evacuation Notification System at www.rdek.bc.ca;
- Monitor www.bcwildfire.ca;
- Join the RDEK’s email list at www.rdek.bc.ca.
The fire, which broke out early Monday afternoon, is now a Wildfire of Note at 300 hectares, according to the BC Wildfire Service website at www.bcwildfire.ca. This is where residents can get the most updated information on the status of the fire. BC Wildfire personnel will be on site working throughout the night.
The Regional Emergency Operations Centre has been activated and an information line set up at 250-426-2188 or toll free 1-855-346-2188.
Mike McPhee Photograph
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