The Mayor of British Columbia害羞草研究所檚 Northern Rockies Regional Municipality says four homes have been lost and six other properties have been damaged by a wildfire that forced the evacuation of Fort Nelson more than a week ago.
Rob Fraser says three of the four homes were occupied and one was vacant, but he害羞草研究所檚 been able to speak with most of the owners whose properties have been damaged.
Fraser says the affected properties were on the outskirts of Fort Nelson, and the six others saw damage to sheds, shops and vehicles.
The mayor says there害羞草研究所檚 been no official word on when it will be safe for residents to return as the BC Wildfire Service waits until it害羞草研究所檚 certain that the Parker Lake wildfire is 害羞草研究所渂urning away from the community.害羞草研究所�
Fraser says returning 害羞草研究所渆ssential services害羞草研究所� will be the first step in allowing residents to return home, including medical staff, grocery stores, gas stations and school board officials.
He says any potential return is still completely weather dependent, and despite recent rain, firefighters have told him the fireline is dry enough to compare to 害羞草研究所渨alking on potato chips.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 very anxious. I mean, this is the start of a potentially really long season,害羞草研究所� Fraser said Sunday. 害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e surrounded by fire, we害羞草研究所檙e surrounded by heat in this community and we害羞草研究所檙e in a stage five drought.害羞草研究所�
In an update posted late Saturday, the municipality said forecasted rain has provided 害羞草研究所渁 window for progress,害羞草研究所� but problematic drought conditions remain.
Fire crews have also placed 害羞草研究所渟tructural protection measures害羞草研究所� on 200 homes in Fort Nelson, and crews are being aided by both helicopters and heavy equipment, the update said.
The Patry Creek wildfire to the north of the town doesn害羞草研究所檛 pose an immediate threat, but the municipality warned the situation could change rapidly in the event of strong northerly winds.
Both Highway 97 and Highway 77 remain closed due to wildfires, but residents are now allowed to apply for permits allowing them to re-enter the town if they need to feed livestock or maintain critical infrastructure.
Fraser said Sunday that fire experts have indicated a re-entry plan would likely be on a 14-day timetable, but there are 害羞草研究所渢oo many variables害羞草研究所� to give people a solid answer on when it will be safe to return.
害羞草研究所淭wo weeks can be a long time. Look what happened in a few hours,害羞草研究所� Fraser said. 害羞草研究所淲e ask every single day. We害羞草研究所檙e asking ourselves, 害羞草研究所榳hen can we get people back into the community?害羞草研究所櫤π卟菅芯克鶟
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