Significant Progress made on Williams Lake River Valley Wildfire on Monday, July 22

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

The City of Williams Lake is continuing to support emergency personnel battling the wildfire in the Williams Lake River Valley through its Emergency Operations Centre today (Monday, July 22).

Evan Dean, Director of Protective Services, said the Williams Lake Fire Department, in coordination with the BC Wildfire Service, as well as support from numerous other structural and wildland crews, gained significant ground containing yesterday’s fire.

“Currently, crews are working on securing perimeter lines, as well as extinguishing hot spots,” Dean said. “Out of an abundance of caution, alerts remain in effect for the Mackenzie Avenue, Woodland, Westridge and Country Club areas, due to potential spotting or reignition cause by extreme weather.”

Crews will continue to action these areas throughout the next several days. As a precautionary measure Structure Protection Crews may be deployed to the alert areas to begin working with the public on fire smarting measures.

All lake access to Williams Lake remains closed until further notice for any recreational or public use as emergency aircraft will be utilizing it for lake water. Residents are asked to please remain off the lake.

An evacuation alert means to be ready to leave your home at a moment’s notice.

Mackenzie Avenue will be be open from Highway 20 to Yorston Street. Yorston Street to Boundary Street will remain closed throughout the evening. Transport vehicles are asked to use the Highway 97 corridor to access Mackenzie Avenue North.

To contact the City's Emergency Operations Centre call 250-392-2364.

For information and updates, continue to check back at www.williamslake.ca and on the City's social media channels.

The City will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates as they become available through its Emergency Operations Centre.

All Water Access to Williams Lake Closed to Allow Emergency Aircraft Access

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

All water access to Williams Lake (at Scout Island) is now closed until further notice for any recreational or public use as emergency aircraft will be utilizing it for water. Residents are asked to please remain off the lake.

The City of Williams Lake is continuing to monitor last night's wildfire in the River Valley through its Emergency Operations Centre this morning.

All evacuation alerts are still in effect until further notice.

BC Wildfire Service crews, as well as the Williams Lake Fire Department and supporting emergency personnel, are working this morning in the River Valley to extinguish hot spots and secure the perimeter of the fire. Please stay away from the area.

Mackenzie Avenue will be be open from Highway 20 to Comer Street.

Comer Street to Boundary Street will remain closed throughout the day Monday, but flaggers will be on site allowing local traffic in and around the area.

Transport vehicles are asked to use the Highway 97 corridor to access Mackenzie Avenue North.

To contact the City's Emergency Operations Centre call 250-392-2364.

Anyone requiring assistance can access the City's Emergency Support Services centre located at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex.

For information and updates, continue to check back at www.williamslake.ca and on the City's social media channels.

The City will continue to provide updates as they become available through its Emergency Operations Centre.

Wildfire in Williams Lake River Valley

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake's Emergency Operations Centre:

11:30pm update on Sunday July 21, 2024 -- 

Mackenzie Avenue will be reopened overnight from Highway 20 to Comer Street in Williams Lake. Comer Street to Boundary Street will remain closed overnight and throughout the day Monday, but flaggers will be on site allowing local traffic in and around the area.  Transport vehicles are asked to use the Highway 97 corridor to access Mackenzie Avenue North.  Please note properties on Mackenzie Avenue, as well as properties on the City's west side indicated in the media release below remain on alert until further notice.

As of 9:30 pm on Sunday, July 21, the City of Williams Lake has declared a State of Local Emergency (SOLE) due to a wildfire in the Williams Lake River Valley.

Earlier this evening, the City of Williams Lake activated its Emergency Operations Centre at a Level 3, and declared an evacuation alert for residents along Mackenzie Avenue. The City is now expanding the evacuation alert area to include residents in the Country Club Boulevard, Fairview Drive, Tolko’s Lakeview Mill, Woodland Drive and all Westridge Drive properties.

The SOLE allows the City to undertake emergency measures to respond to and limit any damages to health safety and property. 

The City is continuing to work with all relevant agencies, including RCMP, the BC Wildfire Service, and is providing support as necessary. If you are approached by the RCMP please follow their direction.

Fire crews are on scene including support from air tankers and helicopters. Wildland crews will be working throughout the night at various hot spots throughout the Williams Lake River Valley. Please avoid the area. 

The City will continue to provide updates through its EOC as they become available. Residents are also asked to conserve water at this time. 

Anyone under an evacuation alert is asked to please prepare accordingly and be ready to leave quickly if required, including having a grab and go kit with essentials ready such as medications and important documents. For more information on what to include in a grab and go bag visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/preparedbc

The BC Wildfire Service Fire Number for more information is: https://wildfiresituation.nrs.gov.bc.ca/incidents?fireYear=2024&incidentNumber=C21338&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR28SmXl8_NQaozg-mmpxajmTzPIOYsz_eqzz5RSWKzAlYE7NFYRzLZBoeo_aem_dzic7oU9J7UPOMnvPwwF7g

For up to date information follow the BC Wildfire Service on Social Media at: https://www.facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo