A rapidly growing wildfire in the region has forced the closure of Highway 97 between Chetwynd and Prince George, British Columbia. The BC Wildfire Service reports that the fire has grown to 0.4 square kilometers, prompting an evacuation order for the Pine River area of Chetwynd. Residents are urged to leave the area immediately. More updates will follow.
A wildfire burning near Chetwynd, British Columbia, has prompted an evacuation order and a highway closure. Police and firefighters are going door-to-door in the vicinity of the fire, which was discovered around 3:45 p.m. Wednesday. The fire has grown rapidly to 40 hectares in size and has forced the closure of a 10-kilometre stretch of Highway 97 in both directions. Drive BC says the closures start four kilometers away from Chetwynd and end 14 kilometers away. BC Wildfire Service firefighters and aircraft are working to contain the blaze. An evacuation order has been issued for the Pine River area, and an evacuation alert is in place for the Burgess Creek Wildfire.
