The aggressive Puntzi Lake fire has grown in size to 7,000 hectares, resulting in an expanded evacuation order and evacuation alert for the area.
There are approximately 90 properties within the new evacuation order area and 183 properties in the evacuation alert area, the Cariboo Regional District and Tsi Del Del First Nation said in a joint press release.
Reached by phone from Vancouver Island where he is attending a provincial rugby tournament with his daughter, Tsi Del Del Chief Percy Guichon said his community of 300 people is on alert.
“We have to be ready for a moment’s notice, “Guichon said. “I’ve just booked a flight home for this afternoon.”
Yesterday he was waiting to hear if the home belonging to two of the elders from his nation located on Puntzi Lake has been impacted.
“So far it has escaped the fire, surprisingly,” he said.
The CRD and Tsi Del Del First Nation are working closely together to ensure residents are provided with the services they need.
Anyone needing to access the emergency social services reception centre at the Cariboo Regional District office in Williams Lake at 180D Third Avenue North can call 250-398-5117.
