Lightning storm sparks dozens of fires, evacuation order at Deka Lake

Photo: BC Wildfire Service

UPDATE 6:22 p.m.

An evacuation order has been issued for 14 properties south of Deka Lake.

According to the Cariboo Regional District, those currently on properties near Judson Road must leave the area immediately.

Residents are told to take Horse Lake Road and Highway 24 to 100 Mile House, where they must register with the Emergency Support Services centre set up at the South Cariboo Recreation Centre.

An evacuation alert has also been issued for 153 properties at Sulphurous Lake, located just north of Deka Lake.

The Cariboo Regional District said in a statement that residents should prepare to evacuate should it be 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 statement said.

More information on which properties are affected by evacuation orders and alerts can be found on the Cariboo Regional District website.

The Deka Lake wildfire is estimated to be 70 hectares in size, according to the BC Wildfire Service.

There are currently 48 firefighters and one piece of heavy equipment battling the blaze, along with 1 helicopter.

UPDATE 12:50 p.m.

An evacuation alert around Deka Lake has been upgraded to an order.

Residents around the lake are being told to take Highway 24 to 100 Mile House and register at the South Cariboo Recreation Centre on 175 Wrangler Way. The full order and details are here.

ORIGINAL 9 a.m.

Residents in the Deka Lake area near 100 Mile House are preparing to leave Thursday morning, after an evacuation alert was issued for the region late Wednesday night.

A "severe thunderstorm" rolled through the 100 Mile House region Wednesday afternoon, and the area saw hundreds of lightning strikes in a short period of time.

As of Thursday morning, the BC Wildfire Service is reporting 33 new fire starts in the Eastern Cariboo region, largely clustered just east of 100 Mile House.

Late Wednesday night, BC Wildfire said all of the fires are being assessed, and resources will be sent to the fires in a “priority sequence.”

Five wildfires were sparked near the Deka Lake area, prompting the Cariboo Regional District to issue an evacuation alert for the area.

An evacuation alert means all residents should be prepared to leave their homes at a moment's notice, should an evacuation order be put in place.

The lake is a popular vacation spot in the summer, and many people are likely staying at cabins there for Canada Day.