Evacuation order lifted for around 2,400 residents of Tumbler Ridge, B.C.
Chad Pawson | CBC News | Posted: June 15, 2023 5:03 PM | Last Updated: June 15, 2023
Order had been in place for a week due to nearby West Kiskatinaw River wildfire
An evacuation order in place for around 2,400 residents living in northeastern B.C. has been rescinded.
The District of Tumbler Ridge said in a release Thursday that the order, issued on June 8, was no longer needed as of 10 a.m. MT.
It was put in place after the West Kiskatinaw River wildfire to the east became a threat to human life.
"We just really ask our residents to take their time driving back," said Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka. "We understand. Everyone is excited to get home to check their houses, to check on their pets if they had to be left behind."
WATCH | Darryl Krakowka says favourable weather has decreased wildfire risk:
The fire is now 250 square kilometres in size, up from 96 square kilometres a week ago, and still deemed out of control.
But the B.C. Wildfire Service said Tuesday that wet and overcast conditions had reduced fire activity and were helping crews.
Cooler weather is expected to continue this week in B.C.'s northeast, according to Environment Canada. Showers are forecast for Sunday and Monday.
Krakowka, who is in his first term as mayor, following two terms on council, said winds shifting to blow from the west to the east were the biggest factor in allowing residents to return.
"I didn't know if it was a week, two weeks, three or four days," he said about the evacuation order. "It was all going to come down to weather, and that's what we relied on, which way the wind was blowing and getting some moisture."
An evacuation alert remains in place for a northeastern area of the District of Tumbler Ridge, which includes the town.
"The evacuation alert will remain in effect indefinitely, and residents are reminded to be ready to evacuate the area with little notice should the need be determined," said a release from the district.
It also said that Highway 52N (Heritage Highway) from Dawson Creek has reopened, as has Highway 52E from Kelly Lake to Tumbler Ridge.
The Bear Hole Lake Area Restriction Order in the vicinity of the South Peace Complex, which is managing the Peavine Creek and West Kiskatinaw wildfires, is still in effect.
WATCH | Footage of the West Kiskatinaw River wildfire burning east of Tumbler Ridge, B.C.:
A week ago, the entire townsite was forced to flee, along with properties to the east, to other communities such as Fort St. John, Dawson Creek and Chetwynd as winds blew the fire dangerously close to the community.
'Glad to see my bed'
Judy Proulx, who has lived in Tumbler Ridge for 38 years, evacuated to Dawson Creek, where she has been living in a hotel. She and her husband were set to return to Tumbler Ridge on Thursday afternoon.
"I'll be glad to see my bed, I'll be glad to see my tomatoes and my potatoes and my garden, I'll be glad to see my house, and I'll be glad to see our neighbours too," she said.
Proulx said she faced a similar evacuation order in 2006. In 2022, a fire also burned close to the community, putting residents on edge.
'We've seen it before. I'm not going to say I'm not worried, but if you worry all the time, you're not going to have much of a life," she said. "What you do is you keep your important papers … anything that's important in a safe, and you can just grab it, and then you have a go bag … and then you go … remember the dog food … and a key to the safe."
The school district for the region said that classes would be back in session on Monday, June 19, for students of Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and Tumbler Ridge Elementary School.
The Peace River Regional District has also announced changes to evacuation orders and alerts for the West Kiskatinaw wildfire and the Peavine Creek wildfire.
Nine homeowners covered under an evacuation order related to the Peavine Creek wildfire are now able to return home, said the district. The Peavine Creek evacuation order #1 has been cancelled, but homes remain under an evacuation alert.
The district has an online tool where homeowners can search to see if their property remains on an evacuation order or alert.