Latest Update: Thursday, August 19, 2021 @ 1430 hrs

UPDATE: Thursday, August 19, 2021 

Today at 3pm, staff will be discussing the Alert status with the Province. As of right now, the District of Barriere remains on Alert, however, if the conditions remain favorable, this will be reassessed overnight.  Please stay tuned and continue to stay prepared.  

- Bob Payette, Chief Administrative Officer

Click here for a Map showing the approximate fire proximity to Barriere as of August 19, 2021 @1200hrs

Previous updates: 

UPDATE: Tuesday, August 17, 2021

In an abundance of caution, the District of Barriere remains on Evacuation Alert as of today. Staff & Emergency Personnel continue to closely monitor the situation and are in frequent contact with Provincial agencies. 

BC Wildfire has issued the following update as of today's date at 9:43am: 

"Some precipitation was taken on the Sparks Lake wildfire yesterday, but the fire received less precipitation in northern areas. Approximately 11 millimeters of rain was taken in various areas throughout the fire.

Fire activity continues on the northeast flank today. Ground personnel engaged in direct attack along the Jamieson FSR near Dunsapie Lake. Heavy equipment is working to establish a fire guard along the Jamieson and crews are engaged in direct attack. Personnel are assessing locations for heavy equipment to establish contingency lines to the northeast of the fire. Opportunities for planned ignitions are being assessed.

On August 16, the District of Barriere has issued an Evacuation Alert.

Crews continue to engage in direct attack in the Vidette Lake area with helicopter support when visibility permits. Increased fire behaviour was also observed on the northwest corner, near the Clinton-Hihium Lake FSR where ground crews are engaged in direct attack and heavy equipment is working to bolster fire guards.

Crews will engage in direct attack on any hot spots identified along the Joe Ross FSR and Clinton/Tuleric Lake FSR."

Residents are encouraged to continue to monitor the District of Barriere website and/or sign up to the local government's E-News subscription service, for updates. 

Original Notice - August 16, 2021 @1000hrs 

An Evacuation Alert has been issued by the Corporation of the District of Barriere at the Emergency Operations Centre in Barriere.

A current wildfire nearby the jurisdiction of the District of Barriere poses a threat to the structures and residents located within the municipal boundary of the District of Barriere (see map below).

Because of this, the District of Barriere has issued an Evacuation Alert for these properties, effective at 1000 hrs on August 16, 2021.

This Evacuation Alert has been issued to prepare you to evacuate your premises or property should it be found necessary. Residents will be given as much advance notice as possible prior to evacuation; however you may receive limited notice due to changing conditions.

If you are unable to secure a method of evacuation should it be needed, (such as relative, friend or neighbour), please contact the District of Barriere front desk to have your name put on a list: 250-672-9751.  

 WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:

• Locate all family members and designate a meeting area outside the evacuation area, should an Evacuation Order be called while separated.

• Pack essential items such as government-issued ID, medications, eyeglasses, valuable papers (e.g. insurance, credit, and mortgage information), immediate care needs for dependents and, if time and space permits, keepsakes for quick departure.

• Prepare to move disabled persons, children and/or neighbours, if assistance is needed.

 • Prepare to take pets with you and move livestock to a safe area (if possible).

 • Arrange transportation for all your household members. Fill the gas tanks of personal vehicles.

 • Arrange accommodation for all members of the residence, if possible.

 • Wait for an Evacuation Order to be issued before evacuating. Monitor for information on evacuation orders and location of Reception Centres.

For further information visit www.bcwildfire.ca  and www.barriere.ca.

Updates can also be found by following "Barriere Fire Rescue" Facebook page.  You can also go to www.barriere.ca to subscribe to the District of Barriere's E-News Service to receive email updates as they occur. 

For more information contact:  Bob Payette, Chief Administrative Officer: bpayette@barriere.ca or Ph: 778-694-5770

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                      

Barriere, BC – August 16, 2021 @ 1000 hrs.

Click here for a PDF version of this Evacuation Alert Notice

August 16, 2021 Evacuation Alert Map - District of Barriere