Local emergency declared over B.C. fire that shut highway as evacuation orders expand

Three British Columbia wildfires, including a blaze that forced this week's closure of the Coquihalla Highway, have prompted local officials to issue new evacuation orders.

The Fraser Valley Regional District says it has declared a state of local emergency and issued an evacuation order for the Coquihalla Lakes Lodge and the Coquihalla Summit Snowmobile Club site due to the Mine Creek fire that shut the highway on Wednesday.

The 19-square-kilometre blaze had already triggered an evacuation order and other alerts from the Thompson-Nicola Regional District for properties along the highway.

Two fires have also triggered evacuation orders from the Cariboo Regional District and the Ulkatcho First Nation for areas around Anahim Lake, Nimpo Lake and Charlotte Lake. 

The orders have been prompted by the 93-square-kilometre Beef Trail Creek wildfire and the Dusty Lake fire that has grown to around 45 square kilometres.

Evacuees have been told to leave immediately and head east along Highway 20 to Williams Lake where they can register and get help at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex. 

Parts of B.C. remain under heat warnings and special air-quality statements, with Environment Canada warning "numerous regions" are likely to be impacted by smoke over the next day or two.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout- BC Wildfire Service