By Canadian Press

Fort St. John, B.C., tells all 21,000 residents to prepare to evacuate as fire nears

May 15, 2023 | 5:05 PM

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The City of Fort St. John in northeastern British Columbia has issued an evacuation alert telling all of its approximately 21,000 residents to get ready to leave in response to a wildfire that’s grown to more than 130 square kilometres in size.

An update from the BC Wildfire Service this afternoon says the Stoddart Creek wildfire is burning out of control and continuing to spread.

The blaze, which the service says is suspected to be human-caused, has previously triggered alerts and evacuation orders for other properties in its path in the Peace River Regional District since it was discovered on Saturday.

It has scorched the traditional territories of the Blueberry River First Nations, Doig River First Nation and Halfway River First Nations.

Fort St. John’s evacuation alert says all residents need to prepare to leave on short notice because of the fire’s potential danger to life and health.

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The wildfire service lists the Stoddart Creek blaze as one of five wildfires of note in the province, all near the Alberta boundary, with three burning out of control.

Around 17,400 Albertans have been forced from their homes because of wildfires as of Monday. There are close to 90 active fires in that province, with 25 listed as burning out of control.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 15, 2023.

The Canadian Press