Visitors to the historic gold rush of the city of Barkerville, Colombia, which is part of several zones of the province’s Cariboo region, have been ordered to evacuate due to the large Antler Creek fire.
The historic town and park of Barkerville, billed as the largest “living history museum” in western North America, closed Sunday, and an update on the attraction’s online page warns the public to stay away from the area.
Images shared through the B. C. Forest Fire Service water sprinklers fixed on buildings in Barkerville, with wildfire smoke above us.
The Antler Creek Fire was reported Saturday and has since grown to approximately 3,162 acres, prompting additional evacuations in the Wells District, the Bowron Lakes Network and the west side of the Bowron Lakes Chain.
“Wildfires pose a risk to human life,” an alert on the EmergencyInfoBC website reads.
Barkerville was designated a provincial heritage site in 1958 and offers a window into life in one of the many boomtowns of the 19th century gold rush. The charm features over a hundred preserved heritage structures and a cast of actors dressed in period clothing who play their character while interacting with guests.
The historic town and Barkerville Park suffered a significant drop in visitation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but have gradually noticed visitors returning in recent years, according to public programming manager Stewart Cawood.
Cawood called the evacuation of Barkerville on Sunday “incredibly frustrating. “
The historic town and park of Barkerville was evacuated on Sunday, July 21, 2024 due to the large Antler Creek Fire. (Colombia Forest Fire Service)
“Unfortunately, we’re subject to Mother Nature’s whims and desires, so there’s not much we can do,” Cawood said. “When something like this happens, we have to take the beatings and keep everybody safe. “
The Antler Creek wildfire is one of dozens of arson fires in British Columbia. During the weekend, maximum temperatures, strong winds and thunderstorms were recorded in many areas.
The fire was classified as “out of control” Monday morning on the British Columbia highway. Wildfireplace Service website, meaning that it “spreads or is expected to extend beyond the existing perimeter or line of control. “
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