The evacuation order area for Zeballos. Photo courtesy of the Village of Zeballos.
An evacuation order was issued Saturday afternoon for six properties in Zeballos as a nearby wildfire rages on in steep terrain above the village.
The order states that all six properties to the east side of Pandora Hill and north of the Sugarloaf Bridge on the Zeballos River must be evacuated due to the risk of falling debris. All residents and visitors at those properties are required to leave immediately.
The Strathcona Regional District said everyone should follow the travel route provided and register at the check-in point at 500 Parkway Road (Ambulance Station). If anyone needs transportation from the area, they are asked to call the Village of Zeballos at 250-761-4229.
— StrathconaEP EPC (@SEP_EPC) August 18, 2018
Before leaving a home, residents are asked to close all windows and doors, shut off all gas and electrical appliances, other than refrigerators and freezers, close gates (latch) but do not lock. When leaving, residents should gather family, take neighbours or anyone else who needs help, take critical items, such as medicine, purses, wallets and keys, if they are immediately available, take pets in pet kennels or on leash, do not use more vehicles then you have to, do not use the telephone unless you need emergency service.
Members of the RCMP and other officials will be ensuring people leave the area. According to the Village of Zeballos, the owners of the properties have been notified.
The east side of the village has been under an evacuation alert since Thursday. As of Saturday, the Gold Valley Main wildfire was 90 hectares in size and burning up-slope in steep ground that firefighters can’t access due to safety concerns.
The village said a structure protection unit from the Comox fire department is setting up protection for property exposure. Coastal Fire Centre firefighters and the Port McNeill fire department are also working in the area. A helicopter will be dumping water on the blaze. According to the village, the fire appears to be moderately active and has calmed down this morning. It is still classified as out-of-control.
A wildfire burns on a slope above Zeballos on Aug. 17, 2018.
Zeballos is located on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island.
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