Williams Lake wildfire grows to 40 hectares, still not under control – BC News

UPDATE 11:15 am

An uncontrollable wildfire continues to burn within the city limits of Williams Lake.

The size of the River Valley fire is now estimated at 40 hectares.

The City of Williams Lake reports that all water access to Williams Lake is closed to recreational or public use until further notice as aircraft use the lake for firefighting purposes.

BC Wildfire Service says skimmers can be used to fight the fire today if needed, skimming water from Williams Lake. “Boaters are reminded to stay away from operations. Water skimmers require a long haul and large mooring to do their job safely.”

BCWS says ground crews will focus on clearing the fire perimeter today and will move deeper into the fire’s edge to secure control lines. Aircraft will remain available to cool hot spots.

The City of Williams Lake reports that all evacuation warnings remain in effect.

Mackenzie Avenue will be open from Highway 20 to Corner Street, but Corner Street to Boundary Street will remain closed all day Monday. Traffic controllers will be on site to allow local traffic in and around the area.

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UPDATE 09:40 am

A rapidly spreading wildfire on the outskirts of the town of Williams Lake in British Columbia’s central interior prompted evacuations over the weekend after firefighting planes flew low over the community.

But the director of the community’s emergency operations center says residents have now been told they can go home after tactical evacuations carried out by police on Sunday.

Rob Warnock says in a video posted to the city’s website last night that these homes are under evacuation warnings, meaning residents should prepare to leave as soon as possible.

The warning applies to properties along Mackenzie Ave., Country Club Boulevard., Fairview Drive, Woodland Drive, Westridge Drive and Tolko’s Lakeview Mill.

Warnock said the 50-acre blaze started when a tree fell on power lines in the river valley on the city’s west side around 5:45 p.m. Sunday, but the BC Wildfire Service website says the official cause is still under investigation.

Videos shared on social media show smoke billowing from behind businesses and homes as a plane drops red fire retardant. Photos show at least one business on fire.

Warnock said the fire “caused havoc” in the valley on Sunday because of the winds blowing.

Earlier in the day, the city had asked residents to conserve as much water as possible so firefighters could fight the blaze.

The number of wildfires in the province has risen to more than 320, with clusters along British Columbia’s border with Alberta and in the central Interior.

According to the BC Wildfire Service, the fires are mainly located in areas where dry lightning strikes have occurred in recent days.

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ORIGINAL 05:50 AM

Parts of Williams Lake remain under evacuation after a wildfire broke out Sunday night, prompting the city to declare a state of emergency.

The statement was issued shortly after British Columbia Emergency Services Minister Bowinn Ma indicated that evacuation warnings were being issued as a follow-up to tactical evacuations.

Earlier in the day, the City of Williams Lake had asked its residents through X to conserve as much water as possible so firefighters could fight the fire.

The city says it is aware that the fire started Sunday afternoon in the river valley northwest of the city.

At 10:30 p.m., the BC Wildfire Service reported the fire was 50 acres in size and was being fought by initial attack teams and multiple aircraft.

BCWS said dry and warm conditions in recent weeks, along with increased wind on Sunday afternoon, affected fire behavior, which showed Grade 3 and Grade 4 fire behavior.

BCWS says it will continue to support the City of William Lake Fire Department with ground crews, aircraft and heavy equipment, and has been working through the night patrolling and extinguishing fires.

The cause is being investigated.

Late last night, the head of the emergency operations center posted a video online to alert the community to the situation.

The wildfire is one of 319 currently burning in British Columbia, with 19 reported in the past 24 hours, according to fire officials.