Wildfire near Zeballos triggers evacuation alert and local state of emergency

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WATCH: The wildfire near Zeballos has not stopped burning, and as the smoke continues to billow and residents prepare for the worst a local state of emergency has been declared. Dean Stoltz brings you the latest on what that means for the small Vancouver Island community. 

UPDATE: Port McNeill Fire Rescue says it has dispatched a crew and a truck to the Zeballos area to help fight the wildfire, and will remain in the area until further notice.

A local state of emergency has been declared in Zeballos as an out-of-control wildfire continues to burn on a slope near the village.

The municipality declared the state of local emergency at 1 p.m. Thursday afternoon, the same time an evacuation alert was issued for the east side of the village.

WATCH: A wildfire moves downhill on a slope on the outskirts of Zeballos on the morning of Aug. 16. Video courtesy of Ernest Smith. 

WEB ZEBALLOS FIRE FACEBOOK VIDEO

WEB ZEBALLOS FIRE FACEBOOK VIDEO

Duration 40s

A fire burns out of control on a hill near Zeballos on Aug. 16, 2018. Photo courtesy of Kelly Gordon.

A fire burns out of control on a hill near Zeballos on Aug. 16, 2018 in the evening on Aug. 16, 2018. Photo courtesy of Kelly Gordon.

WATCH: Smoke rises from the Gold Valley Main fire near Zeballos on Aug. 16, 2018. Video courtesy of Kelly Gordon. 

Zeballos fire Thursday evening

Zeballos fire Thursday evening

Duration 1m

The evacuation alert means residents and visitors in the small village located northwest of Tahsis should get ready to leave in fewer than 30 minutes if ordered to do so. Emergency Info BC recommends getting a grab-and-go bag ready, with several days of clothing, toiletries and medication. Residents should also have an emergency plan, important documents and import mementos ready to go. Officials will go door to door to inform Zeballos residents about the alert.

The alert will remain in effect until Aug. 23 at 1 p.m. unless cancelled by the village.

The evacuation alert issued by the Village of Zeballos. Courtesy of the Village of Zeballos.

The evacuation alert map for Zeballos. Photo courtesy of the Village of Zeballos.

According to the declaration of state of local emergency, the growth of the wildfire, which is being called the Gold Valley Main fire, and the falling debris poses a threat to life and property. This requires “prompt coordination of action or special regulation of persons or property to protect the health safety or welfare of people or to limit damage to property.”

The local state of emergency for the fire near Zeballos. Courtesy of the Village of Zeballos.

The local state of emergency for the fire near Zeballos. Courtesy of the Village of Zeballos.

The local state of emergency will also remain in effect for seven days unless cancelled by the village or the provincial government.

Zeballos Mayor Donn Cox said five properties are within 100 metres from the wildfire. Zeballos’ volunteer fire department is working with the Coastal Fire Centre to drop water in the lower reaches of the fire area.

The properties and forest around 104, 106, 108 and 202 Maquinna Ave were soaked by the fire department earlier in the morning. Sprinklers are being set up along Pandora Crescent and crews are wetting properties.

“We feel confident the fire response from Coastal Fire means that we won’t lose any homes at this time,” Cox said.

#wildfire #bc #zeballos

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Fires getting really close to town #zeballos#wildfire

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Natasha Broznitsky, an information officer with the Coastal Fire Centre said the Gold Valley Main Fire, is 10 hectares, considered out of control and is slowly backing down a steep slope. According to Broznitsky, two wildfire officers and a helicopter are trying to find a safe place for crews to fight the flames. Helicopter bucketing is also being used to try and get the fire under control.

She added that while the wildfire does have the potential to grow, it is not moving as quickly as it would if it was moving uphill. The fire was caused by lightning.

Meanwhile, the Pinder Creek wildfire north of Zeballos is now at 80 hectares. It is burning near the Zeballos Mainline, which is the only road to the remote coastal village. The wildfire is 10 per cent contained. Fifteen firefighters, an officer and helicopter are working on the blaze.

Alexa HuffmanAlexa Huffman

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