Fire Chief Issues Evacuation Alert
- kc dyer
- 14 hours ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 4 hours ago
Some Oceanview Road and Kelvin Grove homes on notice
Update 11:45 a.m.:
Notification via both Alertable and BC Wildfire that the Lone Tree Creek fire is now being held.
Alertable notification:
The evacuation alert has also been rescinded.
Sign up for the free Alertable app through any app provider.
Update 11:30 a.m.:
In response to a question from The Watershed regarding the lack of statement from the Mayor or staff regarding the fire or evacuation alert, Chief Administrative Officer Ross Blackwell offered this reply:
There is a fine balance with communications around an evolving incident such as this. The Evacuation Alert is precautionary at this time and was delivered directly to the affected residents to ensure they are prepared should conditions change.
The unified command group has deliberately not released information beyond what has been communicated to date while response agencies establish a clear understanding of the incident, its behaviour, and the direction it may be taking. It is important that information released publicly is accurate, coordinated, and does not unnecessarily cause concern.
As of the 09:45 operational update, unified command is satisfied that there has been no material change in the situation, including no significant overnight growth of the fire (which is not located within the municipal boundaries). Accordingly, I will be issuing a Special Village Update within the next few minutes to provide the broader community with the latest confirmed information.
We will continue to communicate promptly should there be any material change in fire behaviour, evacuation status, or risk to the community.
Update 10:30 a.m.:
BC Wildfire has updated information to indicate that the blaze remains rated as 'out of control', and that the fire size remains very small (approximately 0.01 hectares). The latest notice states that ground crews are "making good progress on building a hand guard around the perimeter". In addition to the crew on the ground, there are currently two helicopters water-bucketing the area.
Original article:
Lions Bay Fire Chief Lorenzo De Arcangelis issued a precautionary evacuation alert at 9 p.m. on Sunday evening to residents of homes on Oceanview Road and Kelvin Grove Way.
According to the BC Wildfire Service, an evacuation alert means those in the area should be ready to leave on short notice. An evacuation order means those in the area are at risk and must leave immediately.
The alert reads as follows:
This Evacuation Alert is by the Village of Lions Bay due to the continued impacts of the Lone Tree Creek Wildfire, and the potential threats to health, safety, and the welfare of persons.
This Evacuation Alert is issued for the following areas:
For approximately 30 addressed properties in the Village of Lions Bay including all properties on Oceanview Road with house numbers of 245 and above and all properties on Kelvin Grove Road with house numbers of 155 and above.
This evacuation alert is to prepare you in the event that there is a need to evacuate your premises or property should an evacuation order be re-issued. Residents will be given as much advance notice as possible before evacuation is ordered; however, you may receive limited notice due to changing conditions.
The BC Wildfire page, which has not been updated since just before 6 p.m. on Sunday still lists the Lone Tree Creek fire as out of control, but the photo above, taken just before 7 a.m. this morning shows just a trace of smoke remaining.
The Watershed has contacted Fire Chief De Arcangelis for comment.
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Thank you for keeping residents up to date on the status since the initial “Wildfire Alert” notice was sent out to all residents registered on Alertable.