More properties ordered to evacuate as wildfires rage in B.C.’s Cariboo region

British Columbia·NewAnother 85 parcels of land and 42 structures along Highway 20 were placed under evacuation order on Sunday, as a number of wildfires burn out of control in B.C.’s Cariboo region.New order issued Sunday for 85 parcels of land, 42 structures along Highway 20Michelle Gomez · CBC News · Posted: Sep 08, 2025 12:12 PM EDT | Last Updated: 18 minutes agoThe Smokey Lake wildfire is seen from above on Sunday, as an evacuation order was issued for 85 parcels of land and 42 structures. (B.C. Wildfire Service)An evacuation order has been issued for 85 parcels of land and 42 structures along Highway 20 in B.C.’s Cariboo region, due to the out-of-control Smokey Lake wildfire.An additional 36 parcels, including one structure, and the West Chilcotin Health Centre, are under evacuation alert. The notices were issued Sunday afternoon, with those under evacuation order asked to immediately proceed to Highway 20 and then east to Williams Lake.”Responders may be unable to assist anyone who remains in the evacuation order area,” read the order from the Cariboo Regional District. The Smokey Lake wildfire burns in B.C.’s Cariboo region on Sept. 4. (B.C. Wildfire Service)As of Monday morning, the Smokey Lake wildfire measured at 66.74 square kilometres, up from 57.76 square kilometres Sunday evening. It’s one of a cluster of fires burning along Highway 20, east of Bella Coola, that have prompted evacuation orders and alerts in the past week, including the Beef Trail Creek wildfire and the Dusty Lake wildfire. The Beef Trail Creek fire has closed an 68-kilometre stretch of Highway 20 in both directions, west of the fires. Another stretch of the highway, near the Smokey Lake fire, is open to single-lane alternating traffic due to the fire. DriveBC says drivers should expect delays. An existing evacuation alert issued Friday by the Tŝilhqot’in Nation and the Cariboo Regional District covers the area south of the highway, including 332 parcels of land and 165 structures. ABOUT THE AUTHORMichelle Gomez is a writer and reporter at CBC Vancouver. You can contact her at michelle.gomez@cbc.ca.