'Some structural damage' from wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C., mayor confirms
CTV
More than one home has been damaged or lost due to a massive wildfire outside of the B.C. community of Fort Nelson, the mayor confirmed Wednesday.
More than one home has been damaged or lost due to a massive wildfire outside of the B.C. community of Fort Nelson, the mayor confirmed Wednesday.
Rob Fraser said that there has been "some structural damage" as a result of the Park Lake blaze.
"There's no damage at all in the town proper – but out along the stretch of the Alaska highway in close proximity to where this started, there’s been some damage," he said.
Roughly 4,700 people were ordered to flee when the wildfire exploded in size last Friday. It is now estimated at approximately 84 square kilometres.
At a meeting in the afternoon to provide a community update, Fraser said efforts are underway to contact the owners of the properties that have been impacted.
He also said it is "unconscionable" that people are posting photos and videos to social media showing the damage.
"Can you imagine finding out about your shop or your house because somebody posted it on Facebook?" he asked. Officially assessing all of the damage, he said, will happen when there are resources available – which won’t happen until there has been more progress on fighting the fire.