The Smokey Lake fire as pictured on Sept. 4. (Image Credit: BC Wildfire Service)

By Victor Kaisar

Cariboo-Chilcotin Wildfires

Cariboo Regional District issues new evacuation orders, alerts as wildfires burn out of control

Sep 7, 2025 | 3:47 PM

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — The Cariboo Regional District has issued new evacuation orders for 85 parcels and 42 structures in the Smokey Lake fire area.

It also issued an evacuation alert for 36 parcels and one structure in the area of the 58 square kilometre lightning-caused fire. The West Chilcotin Health Centre is also on evacuation alert though the facility is still open for appointments and on-call services.

“Interior Health will continue to monitor the situation and follow the direction of the Cariboo Regional District regarding any evacuation alerts or orders,” a statement said.

The properties on evacuation order Sunday join hundreds of others that were ordered to evacuate early Friday (Sept. 5) morning. Some of those evacuees have made their way to Kamloops.

“Due to immediate danger to life safety due to fire, members of the RCMP or other groups will be expediting this action,” the Cariboo Regional District said. “Persons who disregard this Evacuation Order do so at their own risk.”

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Evacuees are being told to head Williams Lake via Highway 20 as a reception centre has been set up at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex

“Highway 20 has more traffic than normal, including heavy equipment and livestock,” the evacuation order added. “Please be patient and extremely cautious.”

A travel advisory is also in effect for a section of Highway 20 in the Tatla Lake area due to limited visibility from wildfire smoke. The highway is also closed west of Anahim Lake.

People who are currently evacuation alert are being told to be prepared to leave their properties, if required.

“Residents will be given as much advance notice as possible prior to evacuation; however you may receive limited notice due to changing conditions,” the alert said.

You can find the latest information on evacuation alerts and orders from the Cariboo Regional District here and the latest from the BC Wildfire Service here.