Lillooet, B.C. – An Evacuation order is now in effect in the area around the Tyaughton Lake fire, 65 km west of Lillooet.  The fire is now 800 hectares in size, officials say it is only 15% contained.

An evacuation has been ordered for the properties west of Pearson Pond along Gun Creek Road, from the intersection of Tyaughton Lake Road and Gun Lake Road to Lick Creek approximately 5.5 km to the west. There is also an evacuation alert in order for the surrounding areas of Gold Bridge, Tyaughton Lake, Pearson Pond and Gun Lake. For more information, please contact the Squamish Lillooet Regional District at 1-800-298-7753.

Resources on site include 61 fire fighters, 7 helicopters and air tankers. More heavy equipment has also been added to assist in building a guard around the fire. Another 40 fire fighters are also en route today.

Top priority today is focusing on the southwest flank to protect property.

 

There are road closures in the immediate vicinity of the wildfire, for more information please contact the Ministry of Transportation and Infractures by calling 1-800-550-4997 or visiting www.drivebc.ca.

 

Meantime, The evacuation order for the Buffalo Creek fire ( 150 hectares) has been rescinded. Two homes were lost to the flames in that blaze 100 km northeast of 100 Mile House.

40 firefighters are at Buffalo Creek, along with an incident command team. Heavy equipment will continue to reinforce existing fire guards. Infra-red scanning was conducted this morning and crews are working to extinguish existing hot-spots.

 

As for the blaze which is impacting the Alaska Highway, (near East of Smith River and Liard River Junction along highway 97) the highway is open with the RCMP assisting in traffic control. 

The photo at right shows  how the smnoke is drifting across the highway reducing visibility.

That fire is about 260 hectares in size . There are 80 firefighters 4 helicopters and two pieces of heavy equipment working on the blaze.