Williams Lake evacuation order partially lifted, alert still in place

Jul 27, 2017 | 12:00 PM

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — Residents in the Lake City have been given the all clear to return home after being forced out on Saturday, July 15th.

The city still remains on evacuation alert.

Both the south and north routes into Williams Lake along Highway 97 are open.

Cariboo Regional District chairman Al Richmond says the evacuees should still keep their belongings packed because they may have to leave at a moment’s notice because an evacuation alert is now in effect.

He adds people should ensure that they have a week’s worth of supplies and understand that not all essential services will not be available when they get back to the city.

Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb welcomed residents home and asked that they ensure their return is as orderly as when they left on July 15.

Three wildfires of note are burning in the area, the Spokin Lake fire, Wildwood fire, and the White Lake fire.

The areas that have been changed from an evacuation order to an evacuation alert include:

  • The City of Williams Lake;
  • Sugarcane;
  • 150 Mile House;
  • Fox Mountain;
  • Esler;
  • Pine Valley; and
  • Springhouse (see map at link below for details about all CRD areas surrounding Williams Lake)

Due to ongoing wildfire operations, evacuation orders will remain in place for the following areas:

  • Areas north and south of Mountain House Road, including Wildwood;
  • The Spokin Lake area;
  • Areas along Soda Creek Road and Frizzi Road;
  • Soda Creek First Nation; and
  • Areas in the Chilcotin

A detailed map can be found by clicking here

The City of Williams lake has proviced a guide to re-entry, that document can be found here

— With files from The Canadian Press