Residents in the Cutoff Creek area south of Vanderhoof can return home after an evacuation order was downgraded to an evacuation alert.
The Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, Saik’uz First Nation and BC Parks rescinded an evacuation order, replacing it with an evacuation alert Tuesday, July 20.
Included in the evacuation alert are the areas east of the Nechako River including the Kenney Dam Road West to the Corkscrew Forest Service Road, and Sinkut Road southwest to Knewstubb Lake, and southeast to the 600 Forest Service, including Saik’uz IR Tatuk Lake 7, Tatuk, and Finger Forest Service Road.
“Should another evacuation order be required, residents are asked to be prepared to leave immediately,” a notice read.
The Cutoff Creek fire located two kilometres north of Big Bend Arm is estimated at 21,500 hectares.
Crews and equipment were working to secure the south flank of the fire with aerial support, BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) said Tuesday, noting burn-off operations will be conducted to contain the fire within the fireguards.
Three structural protection units have been deployed.
A total of 56 firefighters, three helicopters and 30 pieces of heavy equipment were working on the lightning-caused blaze.
“The BC Wildfire Service continues to respond to the Cutoff Creek wildfire and has seen a reduction in fire activity following favourable weather conditions and continued fire suppression efforts by personnel,” BCWS wrote on Facebook
Read More: B.C. declares state of emergency over wildfire season, preparing for potential ‘mass evacuation’
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