Evacuation Order Issued for Ta Ta Creek, Wasa Lake, and Lazy Lake Due to Wait Creek Wildfire

The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) has issued an EVACUATION ORDER in the Tata Creek, Wasa Lake, and Lazy Lake areas in relation to the Wait Creek (N11360) wildfire.

The EVACUATION ORDER covers approximately 972 dwellings in the Ta Ta Creek, Wasa Lake, and Lazy Lake areas, including a number of campsites.  A copy of the Order and boundary map can be found on the Evacuation Alerts & Orders page on www.rdek.bc.ca.

“This afternoon a tactical evacuation was performed by emergency personnel in response to the rapidly evolving situation of the Wait Creek wildfire and the Evacuation Order was then expanded to include the Wasa and Lazy Lake areas,” says Regional Emergency Operations Centre Information Officer Loree Duczek.

An Emergency Support Services (ESS) Reception Centre was immediately opened at Parkland Middle School (1115 2 Ave S, Cranbrook) for those affected by the evacuation. Evacuees are asked to check in and register at the Reception Centre or online at https://ess.gov.bc.ca The Reception Centre will remain open until 3:00am and will then reopen between 10:00am and 3:00pm Sunday.

The Salvation Army will be serving breakfast, lunch and dinner for evacuees at the Cranbrook Curling Centre.

Anyone interested in volunteering with the local ESS teams to assist evacuees can visit www.rdek.bc.ca/ess to learn more and apply.

An information line has been set up at [hidden] or toll free [hidden] and, when not staffed, will have a recorded message with the most updated wildfire information. Callers are able to leave a message on that line if they require information or a follow up call.

The BC Wildfire Service has listed the Wait Creek Wildfire as a Fire of Note and is providing detailed updates on www.bcwildfire.ca. This is the best place to get the most updated information on the fire.

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CLICK HERE to view copy of the Evacuation Order and Map Boundary