B.C.’s biggest fires

Several major fires are burning in B.C.’s Central Interior, ranging in size from 20 to about 60 square kilometres.

An estimated 9,000 people have been forced to evacuate from their homes, mostly around Ashcroft, Cache Creek, 100 Mile House, 105 Mile, 108 Mile, 150 Mile and Alexis Creek.

With only hot weather on the horizon and dry conditions in place, expectations are low that the fires will be calmed any time soon.

Hanceville

A number of wildfires are burning southeast of Alexis Creek, in the central Chilcotin. Poor visibility is hampering efforts to estimate the size of the fires but the largest blaze, west of the Stone Indian Reserve, is estimated at more than 5,680 hectares or 56.8 square kilometres.

Highway 20 is closed in the area, which is also under an evacuation order. Residents from 2.5 kilometres west of Alexis Creek all the way to the Fraser River, including Alexis Creek, Hanceville, the Chilcotin military training area, Riske Creek and 10 kilometres up the Chilcotin Meldrum Road have been ordered from the area.

Gustafsen

This fire is now more than 5,000 hectares or 30 square kilometres.

It’s burning just west of 100 Mile House. The B.C. Wildfire Service has more than 100 firefighters, helicopters and equipment in action; the 100 Mile House Fire Department is also on scene as buildings are threatened.

Wildwood

Now more than 2,000 hectares, this blaze is near the Williams Lake airport, just north of the city. Crews are working to protect the community of Wildwood as well as Highway 97.

Dragon Mountain

This fire, burning about 25 kilometres southeast of Quesnel, is approximately 1,500 hectares.

150 Mile

At 2,500 hectares, this fire is burning southeast of Williams Lake. Crews have built containment lines on the west and east flanks of the fire.

Ashcroft Reserve

The large fire south of Cache Creek near Ashcroft is now 4,400 hectares in size. Roads in the area are closed and a number of buildings in the area have been destroyed.

Princeton

A fire 10 kilometres northeast of Princeton is estimated at 1,500 hectares and is zero per cent contained. There is an evacuation order in effect.