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Big wildfire no longer threat

The massive Elephant Hill wildfire that has raged through the Cariboo and the Thompson-Nicola regions is no longer considered a threat to life and limb.

Both the Cariboo and Thompson-Nicola regional districts have lifted evacuation alerts connected to the massive fire that has burned through an estimated 192,725 hectares since being discovered on July 6th.

“The Elephant Hill wildfire is no longer considered a threat to properties in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District,” said Debbie Sell of the Emergency Operations Centre. “As a result, all evacuation alerts in place have been lifted and the area is now considered all clear.”

In Williams Lake, an evacuation alert for the Highway 24 corridor area has been lifted.

However, residents are reminded there is still some danger.

“To ensure public safety, stay out of fire affected areas and obey all warning and hazard signs,” said a CRD press release. “For rural properties that have been impacted by wildfire, residents should be aware there may be danger trees in wildfire affected areas. Home owners and private land owners are recommended to work with an insurance agency to have an assessment done by a qualified arborist on their private property.
“With this last evacuation alert lift, all areas within the CRD are deemed all clear and the emergency operations centre will close down its operations and public phone lines effective noon today, Sept. 20th.”

Once described as a beast, the wildfire's choking smoke at times affected many areas of the province and beyond while hundreds of firefighters battled its flames. 

Currently, the BC Wildfire Service reports the giant wildfire as still active and 85 per cent contained.
“Crews continue to make good progress on the Elephant Hill wildfire, especially with cooler conditions recently. There has been no additional growth or change to the fire perimeter,” said a statement on the service's website.

Fire personnel continue to work on mop-up and patrol along the fire perimeter and in and around properties.

A number of structures were destroyed by the wildfire.



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