A heat wave gripping B.C. has thrust the province into wildfire season, with experts predicting more blazes to spring up in coming days because of lightning strikes.
Officials are battling a total of 63 wildfires across the province.
Twenty three fires are considered notable because of their size and potential threat to public safety, and four are considered interface, meaning they threaten homes and properties.
An evacuation order has been issued for people living in the northeast half of Tetachuck Lake in the Bulkley-Nechako region because of the Chelaslie Arm wildfire.
Residents are being told to take personal items and pets with them, and help out any neighbours or relatives that need assistance.
The fire is now estimated to be 8,000 hectares in size.
Meanwhile, the Euchiniko Lakes wildfire burning 125 kilometres west of Quesnel is now an estimated 2,000 hectares in size, although crews say heavy smoke is making it difficult to determine if it’s growing.
Hot, dry conditions coupled with strong winds have hampered efforts to put out the growing blaze, believed to have started by a lightning strike.
The wildfire is zero per cent contained, according B.C.’s Wildfire Management Branch.
Also, an eight-day-old fire southeast of Tumbler Ridge has scorched 38-square kilometres.
The Red Deer Creek fire has forced the evacuation of three oil-and-gas camps, which will remain closed until further notice.
A hundred and twenty firefighters are fighting the blaze, aided by 12 helicopters. It is 30 per cent contained.
All six fire centres in B.C. remain on high alert because of the dry weather.
British Columbia's Wildfire Management Branch says 477 wildfires have been reported in the province since April, and 231 square kilometres have been burned.
