The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) has lifted the evacuation alert advisory for Carlson Point as mop-up continues on the Old Sechelt Mine fire.
An evacuation order, issued July 6, was downgraded to an alert on July 12, enabling residents to return to their homes. Effective 3 p.m. on July 21, the alert was also cancelled.
The Halfmoon-Carlson forest service road remained closed as of Wednesday, when it was still deemed dangerous due to the large number of danger trees and because the road is within an active fire work area.
“The public is urged to obey this closure to protect the safety of fire crews working in the area,” BC Wildfire Service said in an update Wednesday morning.
The fire, estimated at 423 hectares in size, was 100 per cent contained late last week.
“Crews will continue to work on the integrity of the containment lines, mopping up scanned hot spots and emerging smokes,” the update said. “Danger tree falling continues on the fire perimeter. Crews will work to clear the roadways of trees and debris as they work along the perimeter. Any unnecessary gear will be de-mobbed as crews work. Hot spots are being assessed 50 feet and more inside the fire perimeter.”
As of Wednesday, 24 firefighters, one helicopter and one piece of heavy equipment were deployed.
“The fire will continue to burn within the perimeter consuming forest fuels,” the update said. “As the weather heats up, the public can expect to see open flame and smoke from within the perimeter.”
The fire, which began on July 2, is suspected to be human caused and is under investigation.
