Wildfire in 100 Mile House destroys homes, forces evacuations

At least two structures have been destroyed and a dozen residents were evacuated after a wildfire broke out Friday night in the District of 100 Mile House in B.C.'s central Interior, authorities said.

The bush fire, which covered about 300 hectares at Buffalo Creek on Canim Hendrix Lake Road, seemed to be moving east, said Sgt. Don McLean with the RCMP's 100 Mile detachment.

"Up to this point, roughly 12 residents have been evacuated and some structures are involved," McLean said in a news release issued Friday night.

"Residents to the east of Buffalo Creek — specifically Halfway Reserve and Forest Grove — are being put on evacuation alert."

Fire crews were attacking the blaze on land and from three helicopters, said Grace Pickell, a spokeswoman for the Cariboo Fire Centre.

Forty more firefighters arrived on the scene as reinforcements, Pickell said.

"What those firefighters will do when they are there is they will be helping to reinforce guards … [and] checking for any hotspots in the area," she told CBC News Friday night.

The fire has razed two structures and was threatening six more, according to the Cariboo Regional District, which has set up an emergency social services centre in downtown 100 Mile House.

Police asked the evacuees or residents who feel threatened by the blaze to go to the district office to register with officials, McLean said.