Crews work to contain rapidly spreading Lillooet, B.C., fire

Firefighters are working to contain a rapidly growing wildfire near Tyaughton Lake, west of Lillooet in B.C.'s Cariboo region.

Officials said Saturday the fire had grown to an estimated 35 square kilometres and was spreading significantly due to aggressive fire behaviour.

"One of the biggest challenges they [crews] are facing has been the weather conditions," said Elise Riedlinger with the Kamloops Fire Centre.

"It's very dry out there to begin with, we aren't expecting any precipitation in the coming week or so, and the high winds are definitely not helping at this time."

More than 165 firefighters are on site, she said, along with 11 helicopters and 12 pieces of heavy machinery. Their main priority is keeping the fire away from nearby structures.

About 15 per cent of the fire is contained, but Rieldinger said high winds expected in the area Saturday could change that.

An evacuation order remained in effect for Mud Creek, as well as the Tyaughton Lake area and Gun Creek Road.

An evacuation alert was issued Friday for the areas of Marshall Lake, Liza Lake and Carol Lake, and remained in effect for the areas of Gun Lake, Gold Bridge and Bralorne.

Highway 40 remains closed in both directions from Gold Bridge to Mission Dam.

Officials said the fire was caused by someone and is still under investigation.

Huge blaze in north

Meanwhile, officials said Saturday a large fire near the B.C.-Yukon border was five per cent contained.

The Smith River fire, estimated to be about 134 square kilometres, left the communities of Fireside, Coal River and Muddy River Indian Reserve No. 1 on evacuation alert.

A section of the Alaska Highway has been reopened between Fort Nelson and the Yukon community of Watson Lake.

More than 80 firefighters and four helicopters were on site.

Officials said they're working to keep the fire away from the highway and nearby structures.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

Blazes near Castlegar, Buffalo Creek under control

Three new fires were sparked by lightning Friday night northwest of Castlegar, in B.C.'s Kootenay region.

Officials said no homes were threatened, and the blazes were 100 per cent contained as of Saturday morning.

Fire crews were on site, along with a helicopter.

Officials said they don't expect the fire to cause any problems.

Meanwhile, a fire near Buffalo Creek, north of Lillooet, was 100 per cent guarded and contained as of Saturday.

More than 20 firefighters were on site checking for any remaining hot spots. 

The cause of the fire, estimated at 150 hectares at the height of the blaze, is under investigation.