The historic community of Barkerville was placed under evacuation order due to the nearby Antler Creek wildfire (Image credit: BC Wildfire Service).

By Aaron Schulze

Cariboo Evacuation Update

Cariboo Regional District expands evacuation order and alert for two wildfires

Jul 22, 2024 | 7:18 AM

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) expanded an evacuation order and an evacuation alert for two wildfires.

The evacuation order related to the Antler Creek wildfire near the District of Wells and historic community of Barkerville now includes the Bowron Lake area.

Properties highlighted in dark red in the map below must leave immediately.

Image credit: Cariboo Regional District

Residents affected by the order are advised to use Bowron Lake Road to Highway 26 to travel to Quesnel, then register with Emergency Support Services at the Quesnel Arts and Recreation Centre.

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The Antler Creek wildfire was discovered Saturday (July 20) southeast of Barkerville and Wells. As of Monday morning, the wildfire was listed at 3,162 hectares. The BC Wildfire Service believes it was sparked by lightning.

Highway 26 in the area has also been closed to all non-essential travel.

Further west, the CRD says an evacuation alert related to the Laidman Lake wildfire now includes the Kluskus Lakes area.

As of Sunday afternoon, the Laidman Lake wildfire is measured at 1,411 hectares in size. The fire was discovered on Friday, and is suspected to be caused by lightning.

Image credit: Cariboo Regional District

Guidelines on what to do in an evacuation alert or order can be viewed here.