UPDATE: Evacuation alert lifted as wildfire in northeastern BC now 'held'

(Update: April 26, 2024):

An evacuation alert for residents in areas around Chetwynd, BC, has been lifted just days after a wildfire forced some residents from their homes.

Peace River Regional District in BC’s northeast cancelled the alert and lifted a state of local emergency that had been in place.

BC Wildfire Services lists the nearby 76−hectare Wildmare Creek fire as "being held" after it led to the first evacuation order of the wildfire season in the province earlier this week.

The evacuation order for about 67 homes was issued on Wednesday and downgraded to an alert in less than 24 hours.

The Wildfire Service website lists 109 active wildfires in the province as of Friday, with 16 declared in the last 24 hours.

The only current evacuation alert in place in BC is related to the Burgess Creek wildfire in the Cariboo Regional District.

_{With files from the Canadian Press.}

(Update: April 25, 2024 @ 2:20 pm): An evacuation order issued for an area of Chetwynd yesterday after a wildfire sparked west of the community has been rescinded.

The order has been moved to an evacuation alert as of this morning. Another alert issued for an area farther away from the fire has been cancelled.

According to the BC Wildfire Service, the Wildmare Creek fire is estimated to be 76 hectares in size.

Precipitation received overnight and early this morning hours have reduced fire behaviour. Crews continue to respond with aviation support.

Highway 97 is open with alternating, one lane traffic being led by a pilot car.

RCMP are encouraging people to check DriveBC to keep up to date on current road conditions.

(Update: April 25, 2024 @ 11:20 am): DriveBC has advised that Highway 97 south of Chetwynd is no longer closed in both directions. The road is open to single lan alternating traffic, with a pilot car escorting people through the area.

✅ OPEN #BCHwy97 Traffic is reduced to single-lane alternating with pilot car escort south of #Chetwynd, due to a wildfire. Next update: 5 PM MST or a change in conditions. #PrinceGeorgeBC #DawsonCreekBC #FortStJohnBC #BCWildfire
ℹ️ For more info: https://t.co/zxAZKFHmSq pic.twitter.com/P9PpwUU7XM

— DriveBC (@DriveBC) April 25, 2024

(Original story: April 24, 2024 @ 10:40 am): A 50-hectare wildfire that is burning out of control near Chetwynd has forced the evacuation of

Suspected to be human caused, the Wildmare Creek fire was discovered on Wednesday evening.

In addition to an evacuation order, a local state of emergency has been issued by the Peace River Regional District due to the “imminent threat to people and property.”

The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) said yesterday evening that local RCMP and the fire department were executing a tactical evacuation of residents in the immediate area.

Other residents are currently under an evacuation alert:

DriveBC said this morning that Highway 97 south of Chetwynd remains closed in both directions, cutting the community off from Prince George.

Ground crews and aerial support have been working on the fire, which is located near the Pine River, since yesterday.