Fire in B.C. forces evacuation
Friday, August 15, 2014, 4:12 PM - A new evacuation order has been issued for a community in northern B.C. as the China Nose wildfire continues to grow.
The fire is about 15 kilometres from Houston and is now about 4,000 hectares in size.
More than 70 people are at the scene battling the flames that are currently zero per cent contained. officials have asked 60 rural properties along a major highway to evacuate the area. The evecuation order was issued because the region was in immediate danger to life safety. A wider area has been given an evacuation alert and been asked to be prepared if the wildfire continues to spread.
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China nose fire this pm from #BCHwy118. Updates @ https://t.co/gFDBeYF2lB & https://t.co/bTQveVkTuJ pic.twitter.com/SmuZ38xtB8
— BV Lakes StikineDist (@TranBC_BVLDS) August 15, 2014
A segment of Highway 16 was also closed off on Friday morning. The road is expected to remain unavailable for up to 48 hours.
It has been a difficult wildfire season for the province but it hasn't been alone in the fight. More than 100 =firefighters from Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba were deployed to B.C. to help out. Now Australia is sending 80 members of their fire department.
Ten major wildfires are roaring in the province which can cause severe fatigue to the crews at the scene. The hot and dry conditions in a fire-prone area are the perfect recipe for disaster.