High-speed internet available in Clinton, Ruth Lake, Deka Lake

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

People in Clinton, Ruth Lake and Deka Lake in the Cariboo region now have access to high-speed internet, enabling faster, more reliable access to digital services and opportunities.

"People in Clinton, Ruth Lake and Deka Lake can access even more services including health care and education, alongside economic and job opportunities, from their home communities," said the Hon. George Chow, BC's Minister of Citizens’ Services. “This completion marks another important milestone in our commitment to connect every rural, remote and Indigenous community in B.C. to high-speed internet."

Two connectivity projects built and operated by service provider Telus have been completed, providing access to faster, more reliable broadband internet services for 444 households in Clinton and 746 households in areas around Ruth Lake and Deka Lake, near 100 Mile House.

"This connectivity project is a vital step toward bridging the digital divide in the Cariboo region,” said Margo Wagner, chair of the Cariboo Regional District. “By improving internet access, we are empowering our residents with better opportunities for education, health care, and economic growth."

The Government of B.C. invested $2 million in the Clinton project and more than $3.1 million in the Ruth Lake and Deka Lake project through the Connecting British Columbia program, administered by the Northern Development Initiative Trust. Telus contributed more than $1.4 million to the Clinton project and almost $1.7 million to the Ruth Lake and Deka Lake project.

“Thanks to the Connecting British Columbia program and a decade of advocacy by the village, people in Clinton now have access to reliable high-speed internet,” said Roland Stanke, Mayor of Clinton. “This increased connectivity will help attract new businesses, support local entrepreneurs and encourage families to consider Clinton as their home by making it easier to stay connected to services and each other.”

Tyler Mooi, vice-president, customer network planning, Telus, said: “Telus is committed to connecting communities across the province, ensuring everyone has the tools they need to thrive in today’s digital world, no matter where they live. We are proud to work alongside the Village of Clinton and the Government of British Columbia to bring our fast and reliable connectivity, providing local residents and businesses with the speeds and coverage they need to connect to the people, information and resources that matter most.”

Since 2017, the Province has invested $584 million to expand connectivity. As of January 2025, an estimated 74% of all rural homes and 83% of homes in First Nations communities now have access to high-speed internet service, compared to 57% and 66% respectively in 2017. When current projects in progress are completed, connectivity rates for rural homes will increase to 89% and Indigenous communities to 96%.

In March 2022, the governments of British Columbia and Canada announced a partnership to invest as much as $830 million to expand high-speed internet services. The Province is committed to connecting all remaining under-served households, ensuring better access to services and economic opportunities in every community.

The Connecting British Columbia and Connecting Communities BC funding programs support projects to expand high-speed internet access to rural and remote areas, levelling the playing field for British Columbians.

Learn More:

Connectivity in B.C.: 

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/connectivity-in-bc

Connecting Communities BC:

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/connectivity-in-bc/20530/20601

Connecting British Columbia:

https://www.northerndevelopment.bc.ca/funding-programs/partner-programs/connecting-british-columbia/

StrongerBC, B.C.'s economic plan:

https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/economic-plan/

Deka Lake/Judson Rd Evac ALERT RESCIND (Cariboo RD - Area "L")

Courtesy of the Cariboo RD's Emergency Operations Centre:

The Evacuation Alert issued on July 7, 2021 at 2pm for 1105 parcels covering 3940 hectares in the Deka Lake / Judson Road has been lifted.

An Evacuation Alert may need to be reissued: however, if that is deemed necessary the process will re-commence.

Deka Lake/Judson Road

Alert Lifted and Map
Interactive Map

Residents must be prepared in the event that the area receives a future evacuation order or alert on short notice. Local governments may not have time to go door to door should a new evacuation order be issued.

To ensure public safety, stay out of fire affected areas and obey all warning and hazard signs.

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.

Further information will be issued as it becomes available. Please visit the CRD Emergency Operations Facebook as well as the CRD website at cariboord.ca/EOC. For more information contact the CRD's emergency information line at 1-866-759-4977 (8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. daily).

Residents are encourage to register for the Cariboo Chilcotin Emergency Notification System to receive a text, call or email regarding Evacuation Alerts and Orders.

Deka Lake/Judson Rd - downgraded to EVACUATION ALERT (Cariboo RD - Area "L")

Courtesy of the Cariboo RD's Emergency Operations Centre:

The Evacuation Orders listed below, pursuant to The BC Emergency Program Act, issued in the Cariboo Regional District are rescinded:

Deka Lake Area Order – July 1, 2021 at 12:00 pm

Judson Road Area Order – July 1, 2021 at 5:30 pm

These order areas are being replaced by the following Alert issued Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at 2:00 pm:

Deka Lake – Judson Road Area Alert

Effective immediately residents are allowed to return to the area.

Deka Lake - Evacuation Order Downgraded to Alert

Evacuation Order Downgrade and Map
Interactive Map

Routes Back Into the Area

The route is open via Hwy 24.

Please watch for livestock and wildlife on roads as fences may have burned in the area.

Residents returning

Residents are returning to an area that has been profoundly affected by wildfire [IF TRUE/REMOVE IF UNTRUE].

Wildfires remain active and firefighting activities continue in the area. It is important for residents to stay out of active wildfire areas. Interfering in an active fire area will result in crews ceasing ground and air operations potentially endangering nearby properties.

Since these areas remain on evacuation alert, residents must be prepared in case the area receives a future evacuation order on short notice. Local governments may not have time to go door-to-door should a new evacuation order be issued. Information about what to do when on evacuation alert is listed below.

It is also important to note that air quality remains poor as a result of smoke from nearby fire activity. Those with respiratory issues, small children and the elderly should consider this before they choose to return to the area.

Residents returning to the area are encouraged to register for the Cariboo Chilcotin Emergency Notification System to receive a text, call or email regarding Evacuation Alerts and Orders: cariboord.ca/CRDEmergsignup

Remaining On Evacuation Alert

Since the area remains on evacuation alert, residents should remain prepared for an evacuation by:

• Have a plan to transport all family members or co-workers outside the area, should the area be brought back under evacuation order.
• Keep essential items readily available for a quick departure, including medications, eyeglasses, valuable papers (i.e. insurance), immediate care needs for dependents and, if you choose, keepsakes (photographs, etc).
• Ensure that any dependents or pets are prepared for departure.
• Ensure that pets and livestock remain in a safe area.
• Ensure that you have accommodation options for your family, if possible. A Reception Centre will be made available again if required.
• In the event you are evacuated, do not shut off your natural gas. For more information, visit fortisbc.com/forestfires.
• Monitor reliable news sources for evacuation order information and the CRD’s channels on Facebook and cariboord.ca. Further information will be issued as it becomes available.

For Cariboo Regional District information, please visit cariboord.ca/EOC or facebook.com/CRDEmergencyOperations or @CaribooRD or call the CRD’s emergency information line at 1-866-759-4977 (8:30 am – 6:00 pm daily).

Successful Controlled Burn at Deka Lake

Courtesy of the Cariboo RD's Emergency Operations Centre:

A successful controlled burn in the battle against wildfires in the Deka Lake area on Monday has Volunteer Fire Chief Al Boyce grateful for the hard work and dedication of his crew, the community, and all the other firefighters who helped with the effort.

“I’m so impressed with the dedication of the volunteers of the Deka Lake Volunteer Fire Department and our fellow volunteer halls across the Cariboo, the work of BC Wildfire Service, and the responders who are coming from around the province to assist us,” says Boyce. “The controlled burn removed available fuel between the fires edge and the fuel free guard. This strategy slows down and helps limit the spread of the wildfire by decreasing the amount of fire perimeter that must be managed by BCWS staff.”

Boyce notes that there have not been any structures lost to date, roadblocks are in place, and patrols are maintaining security while the evacuation order is in place.

“I want our residents to rest assured that their community is still here,” says Boyce

Cariboo Regional District Board Chair Margo Wagner is also praising the work of fire crews and first responders.

“Cariboo firefighters have hard-won experience battling wildfires from previous years. That expertise is paying dividends across the region in 2021. Our local first responders and all those answering the call from other parts of the province are doing an incredible job under challenging circumstances.”

Evacuation ORDER issued for Deka Lake (CaribooRD - Area "L")

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District's Emergency Operations Centre:

Pursuant to the BC Emergency Program Act, an Evacuation Order has been issued by the Cariboo Regional District.

Due to immediate danger to life safety due to fire, members of the RCMP or other groups will be expediting this action.

The Evacuation Order is in effect for the following area:

Deka Lake

Evacuation Alert and Map

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:

• You must leave the area immediately
• Register at the ESS Centre at the South Cariboo Recreation Centre, 175b Wrangler Way, 100 Mile House, BC. Phone: 587-645-4842
• Close all windows and doors
• Do not shut off your natural gas if you receive an evacuation order. For more information visit www.fortisbc.com
• Close gates (latch) but do not lock
• Gather your family: take a neighbour or someone who needs help
• Take critical items (medicine, purse, wallet, and keys) only if they are immediately available. Take pets in pet kennels or on leash.
• Do not use more vehicles than you have to.
• Do not use the telephone unless you need emergency service.

YOU MUST LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY

Evac ALERT issued for Deka Lake (Cariboo RD - Area "L")

Courtesy of the Cariboo RD's Emergency Operations Centre:

An Evacuation Alert has been issued by the Cariboo Regional District's Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) for Deka Lake.

See a map of the affected areas: Deka Lake Alert Map

An Evacuation Alert has been issued to prepare you to evacuate your premises or property should it be required.

Residents will be given as much advance notice as possible prior to evacuation; however you may receive limited notice due to changing conditions.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO WHEN AN ALERT IS IN EFFECT

Upon notification of an ALERT, you should be prepared for an evacuation order:

• Have a plan to transport all family members or co-workers outside of the area, should the area be brought under evacuation order.
• Keep essential items readily available for a quick departure; including medications, eyeglasses, valuable papers (i.e. insurance), immediate care needs for dependents and, if you choose, keepsakes (photographs, etc).
• Ensure that any dependents or pets are prepared for departure.
• Move pets and livestock to a safe area.
• Ensure that you have accommodation options for your family, if possible. A Reception Centre will be made available if required.
• In the event you are evacuated, do not shut off your natural gas. For more information, visit fortisbc.com/forestfires.
• Monitor reliable news sources for information on evacuation orders and locations of Reception Centres and the CRD’s channels on Facebook and cariboord.ca. 

Further information will be issued as it becomes available. Please visit the CRD Emergency Operations Facebook page at facebook.com/CRDEmergencyOperations as well as the CRD website at cariboord.ca/EOC.  For more information contact the CRD’s emergency information line at 1-866-759-4977 (8:00am – 6:00pm daily).

 Residents are encouraged to register for the Cariboo Chilcotin Emergency Notification System to receive a text, call or email regarding Evacuation Alerts and Orders: member.everbridge.net/index/453003085612292#/signup