UPDATE: Evacuation order issued due to rapidly growing Felker wildfire southeast of Williams Lake

Highway 97 remains open as of 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

EARLIER (5:00 p.m.): The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) has expanded the Evacuation Alert in response to the rapidly growing Felker wildfire, southeast of Williams Lake.

The expanded alert area includes a further 440 parcels, and the CRD is urging people in the area to prepare to leave at a moment’s notice.

“An Evacuation Alert has been issued for the Felker Fire Area to prepare residents, visitors, and anyone using recreation areas to evacuate their premises, property, campsite, or recreational area should it become necessary,” said the CRD.

(Image Credit: Cariboo Regional District)

The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) said the fire has exploded to an estimated 900 hectares since it was discovered Thursday afternoon (July 23).

“Aviation resources are supporting response operations with air tankers dropping retardant and helicopters bucketing water to limit growth,” said the BCWS.

“Ground crews will establish access to create a fuel free guard, supported by heavy equipment.”

You can see more details on what to do and how to prepare for an evacuation on the CRD’s website.

EARLIER: BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) crews are responding to a new fire start not far from Williams Lake.

The Felker wildfire was discovered earlier in the day Thursday (July 23) 18 kilometres southeast of the community, burning on the east side of Chimney Lake Road.

As of Thursday afternoon, the fire was measured at 30 hectares.

BCWS says the fire burning Rank 3 to 4, “meaning a moderate-to-vigorous surface fire with torching, or passive crown fire.”

Crews are hitting the fire from the ground and the air.

The wildfire service says smoke from the blaze is visible from Williams Lake and Highway 97.

Meantime, the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) has put 330 parcels of land around the fire, Chimney Lake and Felker Lake on evacuation alert.

Residents in the areas noted in the map below should be ready to leave on very short notice.

(Image Credit: CRD)

by James Peters

UPDATE: Evacuation order issued due to rapidly growing Felker wildfire southeast of Williams Lake

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