Headlines News Wildfire Week
Wildfire evacuation alert lifted for residents near Lillooet, B.C.

August 12, 2013, Lillooet, B.C. – An evacuation alert for about a dozen residents near Lillooet, B.C., has been lifted as crews declare a nearby wildfire fully contained.

The fire began over the weekend near Seton Portage, located more than 200 kilometres northeast of Vancouver.

The fire was only about 1.7 hectares, but officials were concerned high winds in the forecast could cause it to quickly grow and spread.

The evacuation alert, which warned residents to be ready to leave at a moment's notice, has now been lifted.

Fire information officer Melissa Welsh says 13 firefighters are on the scene and will continue work to extinguish the fire completely.

Forestry officials estimate lightning across B.C. on the weekend spawned more than 50 new blazes, while more than 1,100 wildfires have burned 86 square kilometres of backcountry since April.