Wildfire posted Jul 25, 2024 @ 06:55am by Josh Duncan

Properties west of 100 Mile House ordered to evacuate as wildfire spreads at ‘fast rate’

Evacuation orders and alerts were issued west of 100 Mile house late Wednesday night as the Moose Valley wildfire continued to grow.

Around 7:30 pm, the Cariboo Regional District ordered several properties west of the municipality to evacuate.

<who>Photo Credit: Cariboo Regional District</who>A map of the evacuation order (red) and alert with nearby properties identified with black dots.

The CRD said the wildfire was an “immediate danger to life safety” and urged people to “leave the area immediately.”

Evacuees were told to make their way to Hwy 97 and proceed south to 100 Mile House.

While the order only affects rural properties, a larger evacuation alert covers an area right up to Hwy 97 near 111 Mile House and to the border of 108 Mile Ranch.

The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) says the Moose Valley wildfire is burning at Rank 4, which is characterized as “a vigorous surface fire with an organized flame front, candling and a fast rate of spread.”

<who>Photo Credit: BCWS</who>The Moose Valley wildfire earlier on Wednesday.

Last estimated at 240 hectares on Wednesday evening, the blaze is reportedly producing a large column of smoke that is visible from surrounding communities and Hwy 97.

“BCWS personnel are responding to the wildfire and are supported by heavy equipment and helicopters bucketing,” the latest update said. “Air tankers will be dropping retardant ahead of the wildfire.”

The suspected-lightning-caused fire was discovered on Monday.

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