Felker Lake and area residents under an evacuation order because of aggressive wildfire

A wildfire that has led to an evacuation order for Felker Lake and the surrounding area is now up to 2,300 hectares in size.

The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) says the blaze is located around 30 kilometres south of Williams Lake, and it continues to display aggressive fire behaviour, with most of its growth heading east.

The Wildfire Service says the fire started at 30 hectares in size yesterday, July 23. The Service is using both air tankers and skimmers, as well as helicopters, to support the ground crews who are establishing control lines.

“These skimmers are going to continue to work achievable objectives; dropping water to cool the fire and decrease the fire behaviour,” says Madison Dahl, Fire Information Officer for the Cariboo Fire Center.

“Visibility may be an issue on this section of the Highway. It is anticipated that we will see an increase in fire behaviour today, especially as it warms up throughout the day, and we can expect to see an increase in smoke with that growth as well.”

The CRD has also issued an evacuation order for residents in the Bourgeois Fire area. The order covers properties in the Comstock Lake, Batnuni Lake, and Klunchatisitli Lake areas, with Batnuni Road closed.

The Bourgeois Creek fire has grown to 1,644 hectares in size, and the Wildfire Service says it is also burning aggressively. There is another wildfire in the Kluscoil Park area which has grown to 1,588 hectares.

“The primary growth for the Bourgeois Creek fire was away from any values and infrastructure,” said Dahl.

Dahl added that helicopters and air support are assisting ground crews with dropping water on targeted hot spots to slow the fire’s progress.

Any resident living in an area under an evacuation order is asked to prepare and leave immediately.

In total, 24 wildfires are burning across the Cariboo, with 9 fires listed as out of control and 12 being held.

DriveBC says that Highway 97 through Clinton is closed because of evacuation efforts. There is a detour available via Highway 1 and Highway 24.

Travelers are urged to continuously check DriveBC and the BC Wildfire Services websites for updates.

** Story has been updated to reflect the current size of wildfires and Madison Dahl’s report. **