Wildfire evacuees will be allowed to return to Fort Nelson, B.C., Monday: officials
Thousands of people who were forced to flee their homes due to a wildfire burning out of control near Fort Nelson, B.C., will be allowed to return Monday, according to officials.
An update Sunday from the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality said the evacuation orders triggered by the Parker Lake wildfire will be lifted at 8 a.m.
“Please note that though the order is being lifted and it has been deemed safe to re-enter the community … there are still active fires in the area. As such an evacuation alert will remain in effect until such time as the risk has been eliminated,” reads a notice on the NRRM website.
The evacuation orders were issued by the NRRM as well as the Fort Nelson First Nation two weeks ago and impacted roughly 3,700 people. Officials confirmed last week that four homes were destroyed by the blaze and an additional six properties were damaged.
The emergency department at Fort Nelson General Hospital will also reopen Monday, Northern Health has announced.
Some hospital staff have already returned to the community to conduct safety tests, re-stock supplies and clean the facility.
The emergency room will open with “limited” laboratory and medical imaging services, while the other departments in the hospital will start running again “in the weeks ahead,” the health authority said in a media release.
Northern Health says 11 patients and care residents were evacuated from the hospital and sent to other facilities in northeastern B.C. on May 10.
The municipality reminded returning residents to be patient on the road home, as there will be lots of traffic, and to top up their fuel and bring a few days worth of food and supplies. Buses returning to Fort Nelson are scheduled for Tuesday.
Electricity has been restored and tap water is safe to drink, the municipality said. However, there is still wildfire smoke in the area so residents are asked to stay indoors and keep hydrated.
A reception centre has been set up at the Recreation Centre Community Hall where residents can pick up cleaning kits from the Red Cross and access various supports.
More information for residents returning to Fort Nelson can be found on the NRRM website.
As of Sunday morning, the Parker Lake wildfire, which is the closest to Fort Nelson, was about 123 square kilometres in size and burning out of control.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'There's mom and dad's house': New video appears to show destruction of Jasper neighbourhood
Video posted to social media on Thursday morning appears to show the charred remains of a Jasper, Alta., neighbourhood.
LIVE NOW Multiple homes, businesses 'lost' to wildfire in Jasper National Park: Parks Canada
Officials from Parks Canada and Jasper say "multiple structures, including a number of businesses and homes, in and around the town of Jasper, have been lost" to wildfire in Jasper National Park.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
Jennifer Aniston criticizes JD Vance for 'childless cat ladies' remarks: 'I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children'
Jennifer Aniston is criticizing JD Vance for comments he made in his past about women without children.
WATCH LIVE Alberta premier says a third, perhaps half, of all Jasper buildings destroyed by fire
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says early reports indicate a third and perhaps up to half of all buildings in the historic Rocky Mountain resort town of Jasper have been destroyed in a wildfire.
NASA says no return date yet for astronauts and Boeing capsule at space station
Already more than a month late getting back, two NASA astronauts will remain at the International Space Station until engineers finish working on problems plaguing their Boeing capsule, officials said Thursday.
'Skibidi Toilet:' If you don't know what it is, you will
'Skibidi Toilet' is already an internet sensation and now its about to get even more exposure after the YouTube series is being developed for TV and film, according to a report by Variety.
French sprinter will wear a cap during Olympic opening ceremony after hijab dispute is resolved
French sprinter Sounkamba Sylla will be allowed to participate in the opening ceremony at the Paris Olympics wearing a cap to cover her hair, an agreement reached with the French Olympic Committee after Sylla said she was barred because of her hijab.
Spicy dispute over the origins of Flamin' Hot Cheetos winds up in court
A former PepsiCo executive is suing the company, saying it destroyed his career after questioning his claim that he invented the popular flavor of Cheetos snacks.