UPDATE: Tatla North Area renamed Smokey Lake Area in Evacuation Alert

*Updated, September 07 *

The Cariboo Regional District’s Emergency Operations Centre has renamed the Tatla North Area to the Smokey Lake Area in two new Evacuation Alerts.

Evacuation Alerts have been issued for the Smokey Lake Area 2, which replaces the Tatla North Alert, and the West Chilcotin Health Centre.

The CRD states the alerts encompass 33,000 hectares in the Smokey Lake Area 2, with one structure affected, located approximately 220 kilometres west of Williams Lake.

The CRD says the alerts are issued due to the dangers of nearby wildfires.

The largest wildfire is the Dusty Lake Wildfire, currently estimated at 6,118.6 hectares in size, and located 2 kilometres east of Dusty Lake, approximately 300 kilometres west of Williams Lake.

The next largest is the Smokey Lake Wildfire, which is 5776.9 hectares in size, and approximately 225 kilometres west of Williams Lake.

There is also 457.2 hectares sized wildfire south of Tatla Lake and north of Taccatolie Creek, approximately 220 kilometres west of Williams Lake.

* Original Story, September 06*

Evacuation Alerts have been issued for the Tatla North and South Areas, approximately 220 km west of Williams Lake.

The Tŝilhqot’in National Government and the Cariboo Regional District issued the alerts on the morning of Saturday, September 06.

The Regional District states the alerts are due to the potential dangers of wildfires in the area. The Tatla areas are south of the Dusty Lake Fire Area, which was issued an Evacuation Order by the Cariboo Regional District on September 05.

The Dusty Lake Wildfire is approximately 2,800 hectares in size.

Upon receiving an Evacuation Alert, the Cariboo Regional District states, people should prepare:

• A plan to transport all family members or co-workers outside of the area, should the area be brought under evacuation order.
• Make grab-and-go bags for each member of your household to keep essential items readily available for a quick departure. Pack clothing, ready-to-eat food, toiletries, medications, eyeglasses, valuable papers (i.e., insurance), immediate care needs for dependents, and, if you choose, keepsakes (photographs, etc.).
• Ensure that any dependents or pets are prepared for departure. Gather comfort items (blankets, stuffed animals, etc.) for your dependents to make an evacuation less stressful. Gather any kennels or leashes to make transportation safe with your pets.
• Move pets and livestock to a safe area if they cannot be evacuated. Ensure water and feed are available.
• Keep the fuel tanks of personal vehicles full in case a new order is issued.
• Ensure that you have accommodation options for your family, if possible. An Evacuee Reception Centre will be made available if required. Homeowner or tenant insurance may provide greater support than ESS will be able to.
• Monitor reliable news sources for information on evacuation orders and locations of Reception Centres and the CRD’s channels on Facebook and cariboord.ca.
• If you are on an evacuation ALERT or if you have been displaced from your home due to an emergency, please self-register for Emergency Support Services. You will need to sign up for the BC Services Card app to access the self-registration tool, which will reduce wait times for evacuees and assist in the referral process. https://ess.gov.bc.ca/

The Regional District says more information will be issued when available, and will be posted on the District’s Emergency Operations Centre’s Facebook Page and the Regional District’s website. People may also call the Regional District’s Emergency Line at: 1-866-759-4977 for more information, anytime after 8:30 a.m.