Fort Nelson wildfire in British Columbia continues to expand

A wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C., continues to grow, forcing thousands to flee their homes as officials work tirelessly to contain the blaze. The Parker Lake wildfire expanded by almost 800 hectares overnight on Saturday, reaching a total size of 2,843 hectares by Sunday morning.

Despite minimal growth overnight, the fire remains a significant threat, located just 3.5 kilometres west of Fort Nelson proper. With easterly winds expected to increase fire activity, evacuation orders remain in place for approximately 3,000 residents of Fort Nelson and the surrounding area, including the Fort Nelson First Nation.

The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality issued a warning on social media, emphasizing the ongoing risk and urging those who have not yet evacuated to do so immediately. The Emergency Operations Centre in Fort Nelson will be closing and relocating south of the community, with the last chance for evacuation assistance available on Sunday at noon.

The response to the wildfire includes a team of 70 firefighters, 16 helicopters, 17 pieces of heavy equipment, and structure protection specialists working tirelessly to contain the blaze. The safety of residents is the top priority, with officials urging those who have not evacuated to reconsider and prioritize their safety.

As the community bands together to face this natural disaster, the message is clear: stay safe, evacuate immediately, and trust in the expertise of those working to protect the area from further devastation.