B.C. wildfire: Tactical evacuations in Williams Lake as crews battle fire [Video]

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.

• The latest on evacuation alerts and orders across the province is available on the EmergencyInfoBC website. 

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 …