Out-of-control wildfires in B.C. lead to evacuation orders, alerts and smoky skies

As smoky skies fill much of British Columbia's Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, 191 wildfires continue to burn across the province, leading to hundreds of people on evacuation alerts, as well as evacuation orders in the Peace region.

Right now, five of the active wildfires are considered notable: the Flood Falls Trail and Heather Lake wildfires in the Coastal fire centre; the Fry Creek wildfire in the Southeast fire centre; and the Battleship Mountain and Bearhole Lake wildfires in the Prince George fire centre.

An air quality advisory has been issued for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley because of high concentrations of fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke in B.C. and the United States.

Sunday, the Fraser Valley Regional District and District of Hope issued an evacuation order for 12 properties in Laidlaw and Hunter Creek areas, due to the nearby Flood Falls Trail wildfire.

Laidlaw is a small, unincorporated settlement along Hwy 1, west of Hope.

"Due to hot, dry condition and gusty winds, there is an increase in fire behaviour causing high fire risk," said a news release from the Fraser Valley Regional District.

The Flood Falls Trail wildfire has now grown to 4.5 square kilometres and other homes in the area are under an evacuation alert due to its growth.

Residents under threat of evacuation should gather all essential items, including medications and important documents, fill their vehicles' gas tanks, arrange potential accommodations and implement a plan to safely move livestock, officials said.

An evacuation order was issued Saturday for the municipality of Hudson's Hope, located southwest of Fort St. John in the Peace region.

The Battleship Mountain wildfire, which has scorched 242 square kilometres, is burning out of control, with its leading eastern edge now about 12 to 13 kilometres from Hudson's Hope, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service.

"We're trying to get as many people out of the area as possible," said Mayor Dave Heiberg.  "The fire is very aggressive. It's not wanting to be tamed."

Hudson's Hope, which has about 850 residents, is under a local state of emergency.

The Peace River Regional District also issued evacuation orders for properties outside of Hudson's Hope, in electoral areas B and E.

A reception centre has opened in Fort. St John and, on social media, residents in nearby communities have offered support, shelter and space to store livestock.