The evacuation order issued late last month for properties in the vicinity of the Casper Creek wildfire, near Anderson Lake, has been rescinded.
On Wednesday, Aug. 9, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) announced it was rescinding the order originally issued on July 22 for properties located from Highline Road to the Seton Portage area. An evacuation alert has been issued in its place, and applies to all properties from north of Connel Creek to Seton Portage, all SLRD properties in Seton Portage itself, as well as any other properties located within the boundary noted in the map, which appears in the photo gallery above.
The regional district said on its website an evacuation order may need to be reissued, “however, if that is deemed necessary, the Evacuation Order process will recommence.”
Affected property owners can now return to their homes, but should be prepared to evacuate at any time. To best prepare to evacuate, the SLRD advised to:
- Locate all family members and designate a meeting area outside of the evacuation area, should an evacuation order be called while separated.
- Gather essential items such as government-issued ID, medications, eyeglasses, valuable papers (i.e., insurance, credit, and mortgage information), immediate care needs for dependents, and, if time and space permits, keepsakes for quick departure.
- Prepare to move those who may require transportation assistance, children, and/or neighbours who would require assistance. If assistance is required, call the SLRD Emergency Operations Centre at 604-938-3546.
- Prepare to take pets with you and move livestock to a safe area, if possible.
- Arrange transportation and accommodations for all your household members, if possible, and fill the gas tanks of personal vehicles.
Meanwhile, the evacuation alert for all properties between Connel Creek and Pemberton Portage Road at D’Arcy has also been rescinded, as well as for all other properties as outlined in the map above.
The BC Wildfire Service said favourable conditions in recent days have “aided in moderating fire behaviour across the fireground” as crews continue to work on “establishing and consolidating guards around the fireground to protect and minimize further fire progression towards people, private property and critical community infrastructure” ahead of more hot, dry weather in the forecast for this weekend.
At press time, the lightning-caused Casper Creek wildfire was 4,653 hectares in size and continues to burn out of control to the west of Anderson and Seaton Lake, and to the west of South Shalath.
Further information will be posted in notices at slrd.bc.ca and through the SLRD Alert service. Subscribe to SLRD Alert free at slrd.bc.ca/slrdalert to receive emergency notifications via email, text, and voicemail.
