Fraser Valley Regional District declares local state of emergency due to wildfire

The Fraser Valley Regional District issued a local state of emergency Thursday night due to a wildfire burning in the area.

The Kookipi Creek wildfire is an estimated 485 hectares and is burning in the Keefers and Nahatlach area north of Boston Bar.

An evacuation order has been issued for the area of Electoral Area A along both the north and south sides of the Nahatlatch River and the Nahatlatch Provincial Park, a protected area and river recreation site.

BC Wildfire officials are implementing tactical evacuations.

In addition, an evacuation order has been issued by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) for approximately 42 addressed properties in Electoral Area “I” (Blue Sky Country) as outlined in the attached map.

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“Due to the threat to life and safety, you must leave the designated area immediately. Failure to do so could result in injury and loss of life,” the order states.

Evacuees are being directed to an emergency support services reception centre at Family Place 65250 Boston Bar Station Road in Boston Bar.

Wildfire activity has also closed Highway 1 between Hope and Lytton. It will remain closed overnight Thursday and into Friday morning.

The Kookipi Creek fire was discovered on July 8, and is believed to have been caused by lightning.

Officials have warned that the recent stretch of hot, dry weather coupled with a change in weather bringing strong winds could cause numerous wildfires around the province to flare up in the coming days.