Update: Thursday, July 15
Highway 20 has reopened between Dean River Place and Bittner Road for 40.3 km (22 km east of Anahim Lake to 32 km west of Tatla Lake) Thursday.
DriveBC notes pilot car is service available from 3 a.m. to 11 a.m. and the highway is still subject to closure due to wildfires. Limited accommodations and supply in Nimpo Lake and Anahim Lake.
Update: 8 p.m. Highway 20 is closed in both directions due to a forest fire between Rainbow Range Trailhead and Elsey Road for 32.6 km, 38km to six km west of Anahim Lake. The road is closed and there is no detour available, notes DriveBC.
The closure is due to the Hotnarko Creek fire, which is considered a wildfire of note.
The Hotnarko Creek fire has grown to 1,100 hectares since being discovered July 3.
BC Wildfire Service’s latest update Tuesday morning (July 13) noted there was increased activity experienced on the site of the Hotnarko wildfire Monday.
“Personnel are working with heavy equipment to re-establish control lines and begin to brush out the Beeftrail,” noted Jessica Mack.
Original story:
Access between Williams Lake and the communities of Nimpo Lake, Anahim Lake and the Bella Coola Valley has been cut off due to a wildfire.
After an hour of confusion, the DriveBC website confirmed at 4 p.m. Highway 20 is closed due to a forest fire Tuesday afternoon (July 13).
DriveBC notes Highway 20 is closed in both directions between Dean River Place and Dowling Road for 56.9 kilometres – from 15 km west of Tatla Lake to 22 km east of Anahim Lake.
A detour is not available. Estimated time of opening not available however there is an assessment in progress. DriveBC notes its next update won’t be until Wednesday, July 14 at 9 a.m.
Bella Coola Valley – Nuxalk Nation Coordinated Information Bulletin Facebook page first posted the closure at about 3 p.m.
The closure appears to be as a result of the Big Stick Lake wildfire.
Earlier this week the Kleena Kleene post office noted it was closed until further notice due to the wildfires.
The Cariboo Regional District issued an evacuation order for the Big Stick Lake area July 10.
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