Williams Lake River Valley Wildfire Now 40 Hectares

– Files from Pat Matthews, My Cariboo Now

The River Valley Wildfire in Williams Lake has grown to 40 hectares.

Fire Information Officer at the Cariboo Fire Centre Jeromy Corrigan said it’s displaying Rank 1 fire behaviour.

“Yesterday when the wildfire was first discovered it was displaying Rank 4 Fire behaviour. Crews have been on the scene throughout the evening and throughout the night. Heavy equipment established access on the Western side of the River Valley near a sawmill to act as a contingency line.”

Corrigan said tenders from Fire Department partners also patrol along Mackenzie Avenue to monitor for any embers or spot fires because of this fire.

Crews today (July 22) are going to continue to mop up along the perimeter of the fire and push deeper into the fire’s edge and further secure control lines. BC Wildfire Service crews will continue to support the City of Williams Lake Fire Department with ground crew, aviation support and heavy equipment.”

The City of Williams Lake said in a release earlier this morning that all water access to Williams Lake is now closed for any recreational or public is as emergency aircraft will be utilizing it for water and residents are asked to remain off the lake.

Mackenzie Avenue will be open from Highway 20 to Comer Street, and the City said Comer Street to Boundary Street will remain closed throughout the day and flaggers will be on site allowing local traffic in and around the area.