Cariboo-Chilcotin Forest Fire Update - July 8th afternoon

1) Cariboo Regional District

The Cariboo Regional District Emergency Operations Centre closed at 1:00AM Saturday July 8 and reopened at 7:00AM.

There have been no changes in evacuation orders or alerts since Friday evening.

CRD volunteer fire departments have been working non-stop to protect the properties within their communities where fires have been active. Multiple agencies and government levels are working as a team in support of all first responders, evacuees and property values of all kinds.

This event is ongoing and the help, cooperation and understanding, of all persons involved or affected will ultimately provide us all with the best possible results.

Residents are reminded to register for the Cariboo Chilcotin Emergency Notification System by visiting the Cariboo Regional District at cariboord.ca. For up to date fire information, please follow the Cariboo Fire Centre on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo or call 1-888-336-7378. For up to date information on Highway closures, please visit www.drivebc.ca. For more information regarding evacuations, please visit the CRD’s website at cariboord.ca, follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CRDEmergencyOperations or on Twitter @CaribooRD, or call the Public Information line at 250-398-5117.

2) City of Williams Lake

The City of Williams Lake continues to monitor fire activity, with Williams Lake Fire Department members on standby. At the time of this release, the following routes are open:

- Northbound from 100 Mile House to Williams Lake
- Northbound from Williams Lake to Quesnel
- Little Fort at junction of Highway 24 and Highway 5

The Highway from 100 Mile South of the Highway 99 junction to Cache Creek is closed.

An evacuation alert has been issued for South Lakeside from the Seventh Day Adventist Academy east to the City boundary, with residents urged to be prepared should an evacuation order be issued.

Residents are advised to make efforts to reassure relatives of your safety and whereabouts so emergency phone lines are not affected. As well, the City encourages all residents to pack their essentials and valuables so they are prepared should an evacuation order be issued for their residence.

For information of an urgent nature, call 250-392-2364 or 250-392-2365.

Also - the City urges residents' to conserve water for firefighting efforts by limiting water use. Please do not use your sprinklers until further notice