UPDATE: Evacuation Alert issued for Pavilion Reserve

ASHCROFT, B.C. — UPDATE (5:40 p.m.): The Ts’kw’aylaxw First Nation has issued an evacuation alert for Pavilion Indian Reserve #1 due to the Southeast Skwish Creek wildfire.

Residents of the reserve should be ready to leave on very short notice.

EARLIER: B.C. Wildfire Service crews are attacking a new wildfire that has popped up northwest of Ashcroft, in the area of Highway 99.

Fire Information Officer Karley Desrosiers says the Southeast Skwish Creek wildfire is estimated at about 20 hectares in size and classified as out of control.

Desrosiers says the fire, about 43 kilometres northwest of Ashcroft, is being driven by high winds and will be visible to people driving along the highway.

“It’s displaying Rank Three fire behaviour and primarily wind-driven through grass, but we are seeing an organized flame front with some moderate-to-rapid growth primarily due to the wind and the dry grass in the area,” Desrosiers told CFJC Today.

Desrosiers notes the B.C. Wildfire Service has crews on scene.