Stoddart Creek Fire Update: May 16, 2023

Attention: Community Members

Here is a brief update of the Stoddart Creek fire. The fire has moved towards the community a bit more within the last 24 hours and the decision has been made to start mobilizing equipment to start cutting a fire guard to the south end of the reservation boundary line. We will be assisted by a BC Wildfire team to determine the best area to start working on.

We have structural protection support for houses and buildings on site with good water supply already in place from BC wildfire as well as First Nations’ Emergency Services Society of British Columbia (FNESS). We have Dan Heaton on the ground doing assessments and helping identify and plan for the more critical areas.

We have a mitigation trailer moving into the community to start removing any dry fuel sitting around structures within the community. We will be moving dry fuel.

The fire is expected to grow overnight, although it is not expected to be of any real significance. Current size is 23,500 hectares. The fire has jumped the Alaska Highway and is close to the Red Creek fire and may join, which typically would help slow the south end of that fire down. We have 24 Helicopters, 26 pieces of heavy equipment, and 60 men during the day, and 40 during the evening.

We will continue to keep you updated. Stay safe.

Chief & Council