UPDATED: Evacuation Orders issued near Finger Lake and Tsah Creek wildfires

Updated 10:15 a.m., Sunday, July 9th:

The Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako has issued an Evacuation Alert around the Tsah Creek Wildfire.

The areas under the alert are north of the areas that were issued an Evacuation Order previously.

As of 8:15 this morning, (Sunday) the BC Wildfire Service is reporting the Tsah Creek Wildfire, 24 kilometres south of Fort St. James, has grown to an estimated 300 hectares.

The BC Wildfire Service also said the Finger Lake wildfire, which is approximately 60 kilometres southwest of Vanderhoof, has grown to an estimated 175 hectares.

Original Story:

The Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako and the Saik’uz First Nation have issued a pair of Evacuation Orders near the Finger Lake and Tsah Creek wildfires.

The Tsah Creek order areas are located on either side of Highway 27 near Echo Lake and Bearcub Forest Service Road.

As of 11:04 last night (Saturday), the fire was an estimated 75 hectares in size, with winds from the west pushing the fire to the east.

The Finger Lakes order includes all lands and dwellings south of the Bobtail Connector and Kluskus Forest Service Roads in the vicinity of Finger Lake, including those accessed off Lavoie Gold Road, Long Lake Road, or 6100 Road.

Evacuated persons are being asked to register at the Reception Centre at the Vanderhoof Municipal Arena.

As of 9:47 last night the fire is an estimated 36.6 hectares in size.

The BC Wildfire service says winds from the west and southwest are pushing the fire east.

Highway 27 was closed in both directions between Blue Mountain Road and Kenner Road due to the wildfires, but DriveBC says the road has been reopened.

✅CLEAR – #BCHwy27 The road is now open in both directions between Blue Mountain Rd and Kenner Rd after being closed due to a wildfire. Travelers can expect limited visibility with dense smoke in the area and are advised to drive with caution. #Vanderhoof#FortStJames

— DriveBC (@DriveBC) July 9, 2023