Evacuation orders issued, Highway 1 lanes closed as gusty winds spread Fraser Valley wildfire

District officials have ordered the evacuation of several properties near Hope, B.C. as a growing wildfire encroaches.

District officials have ordered the evacuation of several properties near Hope, B.C. as a growing wildfire encroaches.

Four addressed properties in the Laidlaw area of the Fraser Valley Regional District are subject to the order, as are nine in the District of Hope. Properties without addresses may also be included in the evacuation area. Maps of the affected areas can be found on the FVRD and District of Hope websites. 

The Flood Falls Trail wildfire had grown to more than 450 hectares in size as of Sunday morning, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service. This prompted an expanded evacuation alert and the closure of eastbound lanes of Highway 1.  

Highway 1 was closed to eastbound traffic between Highway 9 and Highway 3, with vehicles headed in that direction being detoured via Highway 9 and Highway 7, according to DriveBC.

"Westbound lanes are to remain open at this time," the agency said on Twitter. 

"There is no stopping on the highway to take photos or video." 

Those subject to the evacuation orders must leave the area immediately. Members of Hope RCMP and "other applicable agencies" will be expediting the order, according to the District of Hope.