Evacuation order downgraded for wildfire near Chetwynd, B.C.

Officials have downgraded a wildfire evacuation order for homes near Chetwynd, B.C.

However, people living in the Pine River area are still being told to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice due to the Widmare Creek wildfire.

Officials had issued the order Wednesday night due to the fire burning near Highway 97, about 10 kilometres southwest of Chetwynd.

As of Thursday, the fire was measured at 50 hectares in size, and remained classified as “out of control.”

The fire was first discovered around 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday and is believed to have been human-caused.

Traffic on Highway 97 south of the community was reduced to single-lane alternating traffic.

2:09 Early start to B.C. wildfire season