UPDATE: The evacuation order for the Beatton Airport Road fire was lifted on May 18.
FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – An evacuation order has been issued for 130 civic addresses in the vicinity of a wildfire in northeastern British Columbia.
The 150-square-kilometre Beatton Airport Road fire is burning about 45 kilometres north of Fort St. John.
(Click here for the full list of properties affected)
The fire flared up four weeks ago and is 45 per cent contained, though a recent spate of hot and dry weather has led to more activity.
READ MORE: An evacuation alert was in place earlier this month, but lifted a week ago
Fire Information Officer Claire Allen says the new alert and order is a result of shifting winds in the region, which is forcing crews to reassess the blaze.
More than 100 firefighters are battling the blaze, along with 13 helicopters and 16 pieces of heavy equipment.
An evacuation alert is in effect for the region immediately east of the area that was ordered to evacuate.
An emergency reception centre has been opened at the North Peace Arena, at 9805 96th Avenue in Fort St. John.
The B.C. government is warning about smoky conditions in the Peace Region due in part to an increase in wildfire sizes, including the nearby Siphon Creek fire.
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