Some residents had remained despite an evacuation order.
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The Fraser Valley Regional District has ordered residents who have remained in the Boston Bar area to leave immediately as a new blaze has erupted south of the Brunswick Creek wildfire complex.
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On Tuesday at 5 p.m. the district said the new fire was spreading quickly due to strong winds and anyone in the area was in danger.
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“For your safety, residents who have remained in the community, MUST LEAVE NOW. You are in danger and need to evacuate immediately. Highway 1 will be closing immediately you must drive north on Highway 1,” the statement read.
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The area in B.C.’s Fraser Canyon has been under evacuation order since last Thursday, but some residents have remained.
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An evacuee reception centre is available at McArthur Island Sports Centre located at 1665 Island Parkway in Kamloops for evacuees.
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The wildfire complex comprises the Brunswick Creek and Ainslie Creek wildfires that were discovered on July 4.
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Wildfire in the Fraser Canyon region and Manning Park areas have forced highway closures and impacts.
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As of Tuesday evening, Highway 1 is closed south of Boston Bar and Highway 3 is closed because of the Norwegian Creek wildfire in Manning Park.
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Officials say smoke will be visible throughout these areas and may affect visibility along area transportation corridors.
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On Tuesday the district also issued a fresh evacuation orders for residents of Hells Gate and the Scuzzy Creek area south of Boston Bar.
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B.C. Wildfire Services data shows the new fire south of Boston Bar discovered July 21 was 1,000 hectares at 9 p.m.
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Meantime, thousands of residents are on evacuation alert for the Matthew Creek wildfire near Kimberley. The fire, which was caused by lighting, has grown to more than five square kilometres.
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The alert was issued by the City of Kimberley including all properties within the municipal boundaries. Another alert was issued for 66 properties in the St. Mary Lake area due to the Tower Creek wildfire, which is mapped at about 2.5 square kilometres. The Matthew Creek and Tower Creek fires are considered wildfires of note.
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Kimberley fire chief Will Booth says the alert was determined given the ongoing hot, dry weather and little to no rain.
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“This is the time for residents within both alert areas to ensure they are staying informed from factual sources, are registered for the Regional Evacuation Notification System, and are taking steps to prepare themselves and their families should conditions worsen,” Booth said in a statement.
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Overall, there are 89 wildfires burning in B.C. as of Wednesday, with 12 new blazes over the past 24 hours. Dozens of those are considered out-of-control and four are wildfires of note, which means there is a high level of interest.
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Fire officials say nearly 34,000 lightning strikes were recorded across the province during the later half of last week. This resulted in heightened fire activity, particular in the central and southeastern portions of the province.
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Warm and dry conditions are expected to continue throughout this week, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service.
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With files from Tiffany Crawford
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