Fort Nelson under evacuation order due to wildfire

An evacuation order has been issued for the northeast B.C. community of Fort Nelson due to a growing wildfire.

The order also applies to the Fort Nelson First Nation and other areas surrounding Fort Nelson.

A BC Emergency Alert message says the wildfire poses a threat to human life. Evacuees are being told to head to the Fort St. John reception centre, located at the North Peace Arena at 9805 96th Avenue.

The BC Wildfire Service said the fire was burning about 12 km from the Highway 77 junction, and was discovered Friday afternoon.

By evening, the fire had grown to 800 hectares in size and was listed as “out of control.” It is suspected to be human-caused.

The wildfire service said in an update at 9 p.m. Friday that the blaze was “exhibiting extreme fire behaviour” and local conditions were challenging suppression efforts.

Highway 97 north of Fort Nelson is closed due to the fire.

The wildfire service said it was responding with ground crews and air support, including nine helicopters bucketing the fire.