Photo: Spencer Stratton/Facebook
UPDATE: 9:42 p.m.
A wildfire burning near Williams Lake, has led to some people in the community being evacuated.
Minister for Emergency Management Bowinn Ma says more evacuations alerts were issued Sunday after tactical evacuations began.
The notice from Ma came after the City of Williams Lake asked residents on X (twitter) to conserve as much water as possible for fire crews taking on the blaze.
The city says it aware that the fire reportedly started in the river valley northwest of the city Sunday afternoon.
As of 9 p.m, the B.C Wildfire Service reports the wildfire is classified as out of control.
The wildfire is one of 317 blazes actively burning in B.C. right now, and fire officials say 16 have started in the last 24 hours.
-With files from The Canadian Press
UPDATE: 8:30 p.m.
At least one structure has caught fire, according to a resident in Williams Lake.
The structure impacted is reportedly on MacKenzie Avenue.
In several photos on Facebook, the fire appears to engulf a building. Black smoke is visible across the city.
The wildfire continues to spread at a high rate of speed and is currently listed at 20 hectares in size.
An evacuation alert has been issued for properties from Highway 20 on MacKenzie Avenue at the ‘Y’ intersection to the Jackpine Sawmill Access Road on MacKenzie Avenue near Atlantic Power’s Williams Lake plant.
UPDATE: 8:20 p.m.
The wildfire burning in the city of Williams Lake is now listed at 20 hectares in size, according to BCWS.
An evacuation alert has been issued for properties from Highway 20 on Mackenzie Avenue at the ‘Y’ intersection to the Jackpine Sawmill Access Road on Mackenzie Avenue near Atlantic Power’s Williams Lake plant.
A large plume of black smoke is visible across the city.
The city has activated its Emergency Operations Centre at Level 3 in response to the wildfire in the Williams Lake River Valley.
According to the EOC, a Level 3 response is classified as a major event, with multiple agencies involved, extensive evacuations, and support required.
At this time, no evacuation orders have been issued.
UPDATE: 7:50 p.m.
The City of Williams Lake has activated its Emergency Operations Centre at Level 3 in response to the wildfire in the Williams Lake River Valley.
The City is also issuing an evacuation alert for properties from Highway 20 on Mackenzie Avenue at the ‘Y’ intersection to the Jackpine Sawmill Access Road on Mackenzie Avenue near Atlantic Power’s Williams Lake plant.
Fire crews are on the scene.
Residents are being asked to avoid the area.
"The City is working alongside the BC Wildfire Service and other emergency organizations to support fire operations from its EOC and will provide updates as they become available," the city said on Facebook.
Residents have reported some structures have been impacted.
According to BC Hydro, power is out along Mackenzie Ave.
Castanet has requested more information from the Cariboo Fire Centre.
The city is asking residents to conserve as much water as possible and turn off any lawn watering or field irrigation to ensure adequate water supply for emergency crews working on the wildfire.
Photo: Contributed
UPDATE: 7:31 p.m.
A wildfire burning in Williams Lake's River Valley is now listed at 15 hectares in size.
No official evacuation orders or alerts have been issued at this time, but the wildfire is nearby homes and businesses.
At this time it is not confirmed if any structures have been destroyed.
A huge cloud of black smoke is visible across the city.
UPDATE: 7:22 p.m.
A wildfire burning in Williams Lake is now estimated to be 10 hectares in size, according to BC Wildfire Service.
The fire was discovered just before 6 p.m. in River Valley.
Homes are reportedly on fire and black smoke is visible.
No official evacuations have been issued.
BCWS has a helicopter on the scene, and the Williams Lake Fire Department is assisting.
Castanet has requested more information from the Cariboo Fire Centre.
ORIGINAL: 7 p.m.
A wildfire sparked in Williams Lake on Sunday evening.
According to BCWS, the fire is located in the River Valley Park Trails.
BCWS and the Williams Lake Fire Department are reportedly on the scene.
"The City of Williams Lake is aware of the fire activity that started late this afternoon in the River Valley. The City is mobilizing to activate its Emergency Operations Centre at Level 1 to support fire operations. Fire crews are on site," the city said on Twitter.
A helicopter is bucketing the fire.
The fire is listed as under one hectare, according to BCWS.
