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Evacuation alert lifted at Lizzie Creek

Fire rating for Whistler now 'Extreme'
n-lizzie_creek_forest_fire_jul_16
The Lizzie Creek wildfire, taken July 17, 2013.

Monday update

Through the weekend, crews have determined the risk from the fire southeast of Pembeton has dropped and as of 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 21 the evacuation alert for the Lizzie Creek area has been lifted.

Ryan Wainwright, the SLRD Emergency Program Manager, confirmed the news from the provincial wildfire branch.

He added that evacuation alerts are generally lifted when wildfires are contained. The Evacuation Alert affected 13 recreational properties between kilometre 15 and kilometre 22 of the In-Shuck-ch Forest Service Road. Wainwright noted that crews continue to monitor the blaze, which is bout 30 hectares in size, and if the fire becomes a threat again the evacuation alert will be put back in place.

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Saturday update

The fire at Lizzie Creek is still being monitored with little change from earlier reports, according to Ryan Wainwright, SLRD Emergency Program Manager. He said at noon on Saturday, July 20 that the blaze hasn't increased in size and is now 30 per cent contained. An evacuation alert for the area remains in place.

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Firefighters and air support continue to battle a blaze at Lizzie Creek southeast of Pemberton laying down a fire hose on the steep upper south flank and establishing a water supply from No Camp Lake.

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District has issued an evacuation alert for 13 properties located between kilometres 15 and 22 of the In-SHUCK-ch Forest Service Road because of the fire.

This is not an order to evacuate, said an SLRD release, but residents and others in the region are advised to be ready to leave on short notice if asked.

The evacuation alert was issued at noon on Wednesday, July 17, though the fire is not threatening homes or structures, nor are there road closures or area closures as of Friday, July 19.

Ryan Wainwright, SLRD Emergency Program Manager, said these properties — all vacation homes — were empty as of Thursday afternoon.

The wildfire, V30216 Lizzie Creek, is burning 28 kilometres southeast of Pemberton, above a portion of the forestry service road and south of Lizzie Creek.

It was started by lightning and is about 30 hectares in size, with 30 per cent now contained, as of Friday evening.

Wainwright said the emergency coordinators were level-one activated, monitoring and communicating with the wildfire management branch, but there were minimal activities in play.

“We haven’t heard anything from the fire, which means that it’s not behaving in a way that is unexpected for the firefighters. They expected a little bit of growth today, based on the weather, but it will be upslope (away from the homes and the road),” Wainwright said. “It doesn’t look like it’s going to run, there’s very little wind.”

Wainwright wanted to remind people to be careful with their campfires in the current conditions.

A seven-person Incident Management Team is coordinating the firefighting efforts, with support from the Pemberton zone office. This activity will continue for some time, and the public is reminded to be cautious if utilizing the Forest Service Road due to increased traffic in the area, possible smoky conditions and the presence of low flying aircraft.

Details of the fire response can be found at www.BCwildfire.ca.

For more information on how to be prepared for evacuation click here.

For those wanting more information, Wainwright can be contacted at 604-698-6442 or by email rwainwright@slrd.bc.ca.

Meanwhile, Whistler Fire Rescue Service has issued a reminder that the fire hazard rating for Whistler is "Extreme," which means no fires are allowed in the municipality. Propane barbecues are still permitted in parks as long as they're used away from trees and dry grass. For residential subdivisions only propane and briquette barbecues are allowed, provided they are used in a safe manner and have proper clearances from structures and meet Municipal regulatory requirements.

And in the District of Squamish, all open fires, including those for cooking, warmth, and ceremonial purposes, are prohibited, effective July 18. The continuation of the hot, dry weather has raised the fire hazard for the Squamish Forest District to “Extreme.”

-updates by John French