SQUAMISH — About two dozen properties near Pemberton, B.C., are under an evacuation alert due to the risk of flooding from a possible glacial lake outburst.

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District says residents of the properties in the Poole Creek-Gates Lake area need to be prepared to leave on short notice.

The district says the alert was set off after a glacial lake from the Place Glacier reached an estimated depth of 24 metres, about the same level reached last year when an outburst took place.

The alert says an outburst from the lake could create both overland and debris flooding in downstream properties.

The area was flooded in 2024 when a sudden collapse within the glacier created a debris flow that altered the normal drainage path from the mountain, setting off emergency alignment work to restore the normal flow path.

Another outburst happened last year, resulting in some flooding of local riverbanks, although the district says the emergency work done in 2024 successfully prevented water from flooding into Gates Lake and altering the drainage path again.

About 15 properties in the area were placed on evacuation alert in the 2025 outburst event.

“Given the potential threat to public safety and the possibility of impacts to life and safety, residents and property owners in the affected area should be prepared to leave the area on short notice,” the current evacuation alert from the district says.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 8, 2026.