The Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako has issued an evacuation order for a massive wildfire burning in northwestern B.C.
Residents of about 19 houses near the China Nose wildfire, burning 15 kilometres southeast of Houston, have been told to leave and register with an evacuation centre. An evacuation alert has also been expanded, affecting an estimated 30 or 40 residences, said Bill Miller, chair of the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako.
Miller, who lives in the area under the evacuation alert, said the evacuees left their homes Wednesday afternoon without any problems. He estimated the fire had spread to within six to eight kilometres of the nearest residence.
Heavy smoke hangs in the air and Miller said on Thursday that the flames can be seen licking up the side of the mountain.
“The China Nose is a local landmark. It looks like a nose on the landscape and I watched yesterday as the flames came over the top of that and it was — well — I don’t want to say spectacular, but you can imagine it was quite a sight,” he said.
The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations says crews are working to contain the blaze, which was sparked by lightning and is now estimated at 1,640 hectares.
Thirty-six firefighters have been working on the fire since Wednesday, and more firefighters are expected to arrive today.
Ground crews are concentrating on structural protection and are supported by seven helicopters bucketing water on the fire. Smokey conditions and poor visibility are affecting when airtankers can be used, but they are being used when possible, according to the ministry.
Authorities say extremely dry conditions, forecast hot weather and gusty winds have resulted in aggressive fire behaviour that is proving highly challenging to crews on the ground.
The Fire Danger Rating in the Northwest Fire Centre is “high” to “extreme” with hot and dry weather expected to continue.
Meanwhile, an evacuation order remains in place for the Chelaslie Arm fire, burning near Entiako Provincial Park, which has grown to 104,000 hectares. The region has also expanded an evacuation alert for the area.
B.C. Parks has issued an evacuation order for all cabin owners in Entiako Provincial Park and any persons within the park.
