The Cariboo Regional District issued an evacuation order Saturday for 31 parcels in the Palmer Creek fire area as an out-of-control wildfire was reported at 2,896 hectares.
The regional district said the order covers 47,948.98 hectares and residents in the affected area must leave immediately.
The fire was discovered Aug. 5 and is located approximately 171 kilometres west of Williams Lake and approximately 25 kilometres northwest of Redbrush Park and the Alexis Creek Community.
Thick columns of smoke were reported to be highly visible from communities across the region and to travellers along Highway 20.
RCMP officers or other personnel will help with the evacuation, the district said. It warned that emergency responders may not be able to assist people who remain in the evacuation area.
Residents were advised to take family members and anyone who needs assistance, as well as medication, identification, keys and other critical items that are immediately available.
The district said residents should take their pets, close windows and doors and latch but not lock gates. They should not shut off natural gas and should use only as many vehicles as necessary to evacuate.
The Tŝideldel First Nation, Tŝilhqot’in National Government and the Cariboo Regional District have issued an Evacuation Alert in Palmer Creek Fire Area 2 on August 8.
The regional district said residents in the area should prepare to leave immediately by preparing grab-and-go kits. At this time, no official order to evacuate Fire Area 2 has been issued to residents.
Residents were also encouraged to register for the Cariboo Chilcotin Emergency Notification System to receive evacuation alerts and orders by phone, text or email.
A map of the evacuation area and updated emergency information are available on the Cariboo Regional District website at cariboord.ca/eocorderalerts.
The regional district’s emergency information line is 1-866-759-4977.
– with files from Teryn Midzain
** Updated on Sunday, August 9, with updated fire sizes and evacuation information. **
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