Evacuation Order Downgraded to Alert for Some Rock Creek Residents

The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) has downgraded some evacuation orders for those near the Rock Creek fire area.

Photo Credit: Contributed

According to RDKB Information Officer Alan Stanley, the orders are now alerts for those living east and north of the Kettle River and south of the northeast boundary of Kettle River Provincial Park. Specifically, the downgraded order covers homes on Kettle River East Road, Nicholson Creek Road, and Kettle Valley South Road.

The evacuation alert also covers the south side of the Kettle River to the bridge crossing the river at Rock Creek, and along the south side of Rock Creek Cutoff Road and Highway 3. All residents on Hulme Creek Road are also able to head home. The Highway 33 corridor is still under evacuation order.

Photo Credit: Contributed

There are now 242 homes under evacuation alert and another 137 homes remain under evacuation order. In the event that conditions change, the evacuation order may be re-issued and the evacuation process will re-commence. Residents and visitors are being reminded they should be prepared to leave the area on very short notice if necessary.

If an evacuation order is issued again, people are being told to vacate the area by using Highway 33 or 3 and report to the Reception Centre at the Midway Community Hall regardless of whether people intend to stay at the centre or not. The Rock Creek wildfire is burning aggressively at 3,750 hectares and is still zero per cent contained.