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Fire north of Lillooet explodes to 5,000 hectares on first day, evacuations ordered

Fire at 5,000 ha; evac orders

UDPATE 10:45 p.m.

The Mckay Creek Fire north of Lillooet has exploded to 5,000 hectares in size.

The growth of the fire, fuelled by record hot temperatures, has been remarkably fast since it was discovered Tuesday.

The Squamish Lillooet Regional District has issued evacuation orders for a large area spanning from the 14 km mark on West Pavilion Road to the SLRD border with Thompson-Nicola Regional District.

Residents are being told to evacuate along West Pavilion Road towards Lillooet.

RCMP from Pemberton are helping with the evacuations.


UPDATE: 8:41 p.m.

As a 3,700 hectare wildfire burns near Lillooet, an evacuation alert for some properties along West Pavilion Road has been issued.

According to the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, the Mckay Creek Fire is burning out of control within 10 kilometres of the Pavilion Lake community.

The evacuation alert was issued Tuesday at 7 p.m. for properties along West Pavilion Road from the 14 kilometre mark to the 41 kilometre mark.

A map of the areas impacted by the evacuation alert is available on the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District website.

“An evacuation alert has been issued to prepare you to evacuate your premises or property should it be found necessary,” a statement from the SLRD said.

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

The BC Wildfire Service said 46 firefighters and four helicopters are on scene fighting the blaze, which grew quickly due to the hot and dry weather.

Air tankers were on scene earlier Tuesday evening.

The fire was discovered on Tuesday, and is suspected to be human-caused.


ORIGINAL: 7:57 p.m.

A wildfire thousands of hectares in size is burning near Lillooet.

According to the BC Wildfire Service, the Mckay Creek wildfire is located approximately 23 kilometres north of Lillooet, along West Pavilion Road.

The fire was discovered on Tuesday, and is classified as out of control.

The BC Wildfire Service said the blaze estimated to be 3,700 hectares in size.

“Due to the the hot and dry weather, this fire grew quickly after it started,” the wildfire service said in a statement.

“This is an emerging incident and more updates will be provided as they become available.”

As of Tuesday evening, 45 personnel are on scene fighting the blaze, supported by air tankers and four helicopters.

The BC Wildfire Service said they have recommended an evacuation alert to the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District.

Smoke is visible from Lillooet and surrounding areas.



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