Wildfire evacuation orders issued for Clinton, B.C., and surrounding area
Chad Pawson | CBC News | Posted: July 30, 2017 12:36 AM | Last Updated: July 30, 2017
More than 1,000 more people ordered to leave homes after Elephant Hill wildfire expands
A rapid expansion of the Elephant Hill wildfire in B.C.'s Interior has forced the evacuation of the village of Clinton and the surrounding region.
A series of evacuation orders came in rapid succession on Saturday, just days after a separate evacuation order was issued to several properties northeast of Clinton due to a rapidly moving wildfire in the area.
Clinton is about 125 kilometres northwest of Kamloops, B.C., and has a population of about 650 people.
"It's pretty scary," said Clinton resident Tina Horsley upon arriving at the emergency centre in Kamloops. "I have a bunch of animals and six kids. To pack up and take a bunch of people out of there, it's pretty scary."
Later Saturday, the evacuation order for Clinton was expanded to include the Chasm Mill site, properties along Highway 97 to the north and south of Clinton, and an area around Green Lake, including 70 Mile House.
Meanwhile, farther north, an evacuation order for the Clisbako area — about 100 kilometres west of Quesnel — was also expanded.
"Due to immediate danger, members of the RCMP or other groups will be expediting this action," said a statement from the Cariboo Regional District.
- For the latest evacuation alerts from the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, click here
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- For the latest information on wildfires of note, click here
Anyone with large animals or livestock in need of shelter is asked to contact an emergency operations centre at 1-866-377-7188
Anyone from Clinton requiring food and accommodation is also asked to register at the Sandman Centre at 300 Lorne St. in Kamloops.
Evacuees from the Clisbako area are asked to travel along Baezaeko Road to Nazko Road into Quesnel to an emergency centre at 500 North Star Road.
All evacuees are also required to register with the Red Cross at 1-800-863-6582.