The Peace River Regional District has reinstated an evacuation order because of growing threat from the Beatton Airport Road Fire.

Electoral Area B declared a local state of emergency on Sunday.

Photo Credit: BC Wildfire Service.Burn out operations, Beatton Airport Road fire.

At 4 p.m., the evacuation started for residents living in the area from Mile 77 on the Alaska Highway, where it meets Kitt Road, northwest about 9 kilometres, and then northeast to junction of the Beatton Airport Road and Aitken Creek Road, east along the Buick Creek Road to the Prespatou Road, south along the Prespatou Road to just south of the 264 Road and generally west to the Alaska Highway.

Those who live in the area have been asked to evacuate immediately, and must register at the Reception Centre at the North Peach Arena in For St. John.

Transportation assistance is being offered for those who need it.

The City of Fort St. John has opened the doors of the Emergency Social Services (ESS) Reception Centre, located at the North Peace Arena 9805 – 96th Avenue, to evacuees who live in the area.

“The Peace River Regional District is grateful that Fort St. John is able to assist again by opening the ESS Reception center in Fort St. John,” said Chris Cvik, CAO for the PRRD.

Photo Credit: BC Wildfire Service.Burn out operations, Beatton Airport Road fire.

At 8 p.m., a revised evacuation alert was issued by Peace River Regional District at the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC). Residents from the Siphon Creek area are urged to prepare to evacuate, if necessary.

Fire sizes increased over the weekend, due to hot and dry conditions.

On Sunday, the sky stayed very smoky conditions as a shift in wind blew smoke from the Halfway River fire, located 30 km northeast of Hudson's Hope, into the communities and area surrounding Hudson's Hope and the Halfway River First Nations.

The fire has not moved closer to either community, although it has spread in the northwest.

Siphon Creek fire also grew as crews work to establish containment lines and conduct burn-off operations. The fire grew almost 4,000 hectares on Sunday and is now about 61,600 hectares and 30 per cent contained. A total of 223 firefighters, 14 helicopters and 18 pieces of heavy equipment are fighting the fire.

The Beatton Airport fire was more active on Sunday, which is also contributing to the smoky conditions throughout the region. The fire, 45 km north of Fort St. John, is about 15,000 hectares in size by last estimate. There are 119 firefighters and 13 helicopters fighting the fire, which is still 45 per cent contained. A 9 person Incident Management Team is co-ordinating the response to this wildfire, with 16 support staff and a 13 person crew on Sprinkler Protection Units.

Firefighters continue to work against both fires.

Winds are expected to shift again on Monday, with speeds of about 30 km per hour west to southwest gusting up to 60 kilometres per hour.

According to BC Wildfire Service, this will probably increase fire behaviour and growth.