Image credit: BC Wildfire Service

By Aaron Schulze

Williams Lake Wildfire

City of Williams Lake declares local state of emergency, expands evacuation alert related to River Valley wildfire

Jul 22, 2024 | 4:52 AM

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — The City of Williams Lake declared a state of local emergency due to a wildfire that ignited just outside the city.

In a news release issued Sunday evening (July 21), the City states it has expanded its evacuation alert area related to the River Valley wildfire. The alert now covers residents in the Country Club Boulevard, Fairview Drive, Tolko’s Lakeview Mill and Woodland Drive neighbourhoods, along with all Westridge Drive Properties.

The evacuation alert still covers properties along Mackenzie Avenue from Highway 20 to the Jackpine Sawmill Access Road near Atlantic Power.

Image credit: City of Williams Lake

By declaring a state of local emergency, the City states it can undertake “emergency measures to respond to and limit any damages to health, safety and property.” Residents are asked to avoid the Williams Lake River Valley.

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“The City is continuing to work with all relevant agencies, including RCMP, the BC Wildfire Service, and is providing support as necessary,” the City states. “If you are approached by the RCMP please follow their direction. Fire crews are on scene including support from air tankers and helicopters.”

As of Sunday evening, the out-of-control River Valley wildfire is measured at 20 hectares in size, according to the BC Wildfire Service’s online map. The suspected cause is currently under investigation.

“Dry and warm conditions over the past several weeks, along with increased winds this afternoon influenced the fire behaviour to display rank 3 and rank 4 fire behaviour,” the wildfire service states.

The fire was discovered just before 6:00 p.m. Sunday in the River Valley Park Trails just west of the city and spread quickly.

Residents are also being asked to conserve as much water as possible and turn off any lawn watering or field irrigation to ensure water supply for crews responding to the River Valley wildfire.

Guidelines on what to do in an evacuation alert or order can be viewed here.