Wildfires in B.C.'s Cariboo region are eating up huge tracts of timber, with three clusters of fires now estimated to cover up to 500 square kilometres.
Two groups of fires in the Williams Lake area -- the Meldrum Creek complex and the Alexis Creek cluster -- have a combined size of 350 square kilometres, while the Pelican Lake cluster southwest of Prince George covers about 150 square kilometres.
Evacuation orders and alerts are in effect for many people living in these areas, but not all the residents have moved out.
The fires are being fuelled by hot, dry conditions, combined with wind and lightning, and are being fought by hundreds of ground crews aided by water bombers and helicopters.
With the summer only half over, B.C. has already used up its forest firefighting budget of $52 million, but officials say they can spend as much as they need to battle the flames.
Firefighting efforts Tuesday alone cost $6 million.
