Despite a wildfire raging just over the horizon, there was no damage to Barkerville after the area had to be evacuated on July 21.
The popular tourist attraction, a restored gold-rush pioneer town, reopened Friday, Aug. 2.
Stewart Cawood, Barkerville's manager of public programming and media, said things were in good shape when he and other staff returned. He credited hard work by fire crews to keep the flames away from the site, as well as the historic town's sprinkler protection system.
The fire was not a surprise.
"On the night before, Saturday, July 20, we had a big plume of smoke over the mountains, so everyone went into the next day knowing it was going to be kind of hairy," Cawood said. "The next morning, smoke was everywhere, and by 11 a.m. the alert had come in."
The North Cariboo Regional District ordered the evacuation of the area, which also includes the town of Wells and Bowron Lake, as the Antler Creek wildfire neared.
CEO Kate Cox made the immediate decision to refund the admission of visitors on-site, send them on their way safely and prepare the departure of the town's staff.
About 30 people work at the site.
Some were authorized by the B.C. Wildfire Service to stay to maintain the town's sprinkler system and assist fire crews, some of whom stayed in the town. Most staff, though, left the area.
Cawood set up in Quesnel, while others headed to Vancouver and other communities to wait out the threat. Registered veterinary technologist Mia Cirotto was also at the site to care for Barkerville's animals, which include horses and goats, while staff was away.
The powerful sprinkler system is set up along the roofs of the town's historic wooden buildings. It's meant to protect them in cases like this. Cawood explained that it sends up a "humidity dome" that keeps stray sparks from igniting.
"We've all seen embers and witch's hair drifting through, and we've seen scorch marks on the wooden walkways," he said, adding that Barkerville office manager Carrie Chard was key to the implementation of the sprinkler system.
It worked, and the village came through the fire unscathed.
"They lifted the order on Monday (July 29)" Cawood said.
The Barkerville team began working to reopen, and visitors were able to return Friday. Not everything is as it was, though. The campground is open for first-come, first served use, but no reservations will be taken. The cottages and Kelly Guest House will be closed until Aug. 11.
As well, some events planned for later this season have been postponed to 2025. These include the Indigenous People's Celebrations and the Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival.
"Those special events have a lot of people coming from out of town," Cawood said, explaining that the possibility of another emergency shutdown prompted the decision.
Barkerville was founded as a gold boom town in 1862 and was restored to become an historic attraction in 1959. It's located a little more than two hours south of Prince George. Learn more at barkerville.ca.
