Gustafsen wildfire -photo courtesy BC Wildfire Service

100 Mile House, B.C. – Mitch Campsall, Mayor of 100 Mile House, has reacted to the 1,200 hectare blaze burning just west of town.

The Gustafsen fire started last night and grew from 500 to 1,200 hectares overnight forcing the evacuation of thousands of property owners. The cause remains under investigation and it is zero per cent contained.

“Right now, the town is okay, it’s in good position,” Campsall told 250News. “But that can change with the winds and we know how the winds change fairly quickly. They’ve evacuated the 105 area, the 108 and now they’re evacuating Lac La Hache (over 2,000 property owners). So, it’s getting worse.”

He says it brings back memories of last year’s devastating wildfire in Alberta.

“We’ve seen what happened last year at Fort Mac though I have to give credit to the firefighters and all the volunteers in our community that are just going like a rocket.”

Campsall can’t remember a wildfire so close to town and admits the town is on edge.

“People are very concerned but all the firefighters and volunteers are doing all they can.”

As 250News previously reported, a 50-hectare wildfire in Ashcroft has also closed Highway One in both directions from Cache Creek to Ashcroft.

No word yet on when the highway will reopen.