Tactical evacuations in Williams Lake, B.C., as crews battle wildfire in community
CTV
A local state of emergency has been declared in Williams Lake, B.C., where a wildfire burning within the community prompted tactical evacuations Sunday evening.
A local state of emergency has been declared in Williams Lake, B.C., where a wildfire burning within the community prompted tactical evacuations Sunday evening.
The blaze – which was discovered around 6 p.m. in the Williams Lake River Valley – was one of dozens ignited over a weekend of high temperatures, heavy winds and lightning in the province.
Williams Lake officials issued a state of emergency around 9:30 p.m., giving them additional authority to conduct a rapid response to the unfolding situation.
A number of properties have been placed under evacuation alert, including some along Mackenzie Avenue, Country Club Drive, Fairview Drive, Tolko's Lakeview Mill, Woodland Drive and Westridge Drive.
While no evacuation orders for Williams Lake were listed online Sunday night, B.C. Emergency Management Ministers Bowinn Ma confirmed on social media that tactical evacuations were carried out in the first hours of the wildfire response.
Ma also urged residents under evacuation alert to be prepared to leave on short notice, and encouraged everyone in the community to conserve water for firefighting crews.
The city activated its emergency operations centre Sunday, and asked the public to avoid the Williams Lake River Valley area as the wildfire response continued throughout the night.
