Lillooet fire burning away from town

A 1,000-hectare wildfire burning out of control within sight of Lillooet in the southwest of B.C. has forced the evacuation of two homes, but is not heading toward the town.

The fire is burning on the mountain slopes about 1½ kilometres directly above Lillooet, with the most active fire front approximately four kilometres northwest of the town. But fire information officer Garry Horley said the fire is heading away from town.

"There are a few hot spots over the ridge so you can see it quite easily from town. But at this point the fire is burning away from the town, so that is the good news," said Horley.

Squamish-Lillooet Regional District ordered two homes in the area evacuated on Sunday, and fire officials expect to release more information later Monday morning.

Fire officials said there are 13 helicopters and 57 firefighters working to extinguish the Mount McLean fire northeast of Seton Lake, but the blaze was completely uncontained on Monday morning.

The fire started on Wednesday with a lightning strike, and additional lightning strikes over the past few days complicated efforts to put it out.

Reinforcements arrive from Ontario

Meanwhile, about 150 Ontario firefighters and fire specialists are waiting to be assigned to the dozens of fires blazing across B.C.

The crew arrived Sunday, joining 123 Ontario firefighters who arrived late last week, and adding to personnel from Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan who flew in Friday and Saturday.

Placement of the new teams will be determined based on fire activity and anticipated need.

The Forest Service says some of the crews will be kept in reserve to be ready to respond to any new emergency, or to relieve exhausted firefighters as quickly as possible.