Additional fire crews have arrived on scene as the Alkali Lake wildfire continues to burn out of control about five kilometres west Telegraph Creek.
The blaze has grown 45-hectares overnight to 200 hectares this morning. Seven homes are known to be under an evacuation order issued by the Regional District of Kitimat Stikine.
The fire is travelling northeast toward the community of Telegraph Creek, but crews are now trying to push the spread away from the populated area by fighting the fire on its southern and eastern flanks.
Telegraph Creek is not under an evacuation order at this time.
RDKS declared a state of emergency and evacuation alert within 24 hours of the fire’s discovery Aug. 1 then upgraded the alert to an evacuation order this morning. Twenty-three personell and two pieces of heavy equipment are on the gound with air assistance from three helicopters and one air tanker.
All persons along Highway 51 from west of Sawmill Lake to Glenora are required to evacuate the area immediacy and report to Emergency Support Services at the Dease Lake Community Hall, 2102 1st Avenue, in Dease Lake, or call in at 250-771-5021. An alternate and after-hours contact is available at 250-771-4567.
BC Wildfire Service said the lining-caused blaze is now a Rank 2 wildfire, described as a low, vigorous surface fire with an unorganized flame and inconsistent rate of spread.
Yesterday two homes were under structural protection as the wildfire approached 300 metres away, said BC Wildfire Service. At last report the fire was 300 metres from the nearest house.
The Alkali Lake wildfire is among six interface fires of note and 78 fires total in the Northwest Fire Centre.
The RDKS has issued an evacuation order also for the area of Elbow Lake, where an 306-hectare, lightning-caused fire is burning about 70 kilometres north of Dease Lake. According to BC Wildfire Services the fire is producing heavy smoke and is highly visible from Hwy 37.
Two cabins are receiving structural protection. One helicopter has been assigned.
