100 Mile House fire grows to 500 hectares, evacuation orders issued

A fast-growing fire in B.C.'s Cariboo is threatening structures in the area around 100 Mile House, promptingevacuation orders.

The fire, approximately 10 kilometreswest of the municipality, was just twohectares at 3 p.m. PT but had grown to 500 hectares by 10:00 p.m., and is expected to grow overnight.

The fire has been growing to the north and west, away from most properties, but the CaribooRegional District has issued an evacuation order for five properties to the immediate south and east of Abel Lake.

An emergency centre for evacuees has been opened at 100 Mile House's curling rink on Airport Road.

• Check updates from Cariboo Regional District

High winds a factor

Water bombers are reloading from Watson Lake and anyone using the lake is asked to give the aircraft enough space to operate safely.

Kevin Skrepnek, B.C.'s chief fire information officer, said high winds were a factor in the fire's growth.

"It does sound like we are making some progress out there ... but we'll have to see what the weather does with this one," Skrepnek said. "Even overnight temperatures in the Interior are in the high teens."

More than 60 firefighters from the B.C. Wildfire Service and multiple air tankersare on scene, along with support from the local fire department.

Skrepneksaid more support will arrive on Friday.

"There willbe more crews going in there. Given the the fuel we have therethick dense timberwe're going to be using quite a bit of heavy equipment."