The Wildfire Management Branch is responding to a wildfire about 14 kilometres west of Bull Canyon on the north side of Highway 20. It currently covers an estimated 600 hectares.

Airtankers and helicopters supported ground crews and heavy equipment operators late into the evening on Monday, Aug 11, 2014. Today, five helicopters and heavy equipment are helping 50 firefighters establish a guard around the fire.

This wildfire is displaying aggressive fire behaviour. Crews will be closely monitoring the weather today, since there is a potential for extreme fire behaviour, increased winds and warm temperatures. Cooler temperatures and rain are expected later in the week, which should help firefighting efforts over the next 48 to 72 hours.

An evacuation alert has been issued for nine residences at Bayliff Road, west of Alexis Creek. More information about evacuation alerts and evacuation orders in the Cariboo Regional District can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/CRDEmergencyOperations

Traffic continues to be affected by this wildfire. Highway 20 is currently closed in both directions 24 kilometres west of Alexis Creek. A 12.8-kilometre detour route is available via Chilko Lake Road and Bayliff Road. For further details, visit http://www.drivebc.ca/#listView&severity=Major

To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellular phone.

For the latest information on fire activity, conditions and prohibitions, visit the Wildfire Management Branch website: www.bcwildfire.ca

You can also follow the latest wildfire news:

• On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo
• On Facebook at: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

Media Contacts:

Sandra Wagner or Terry Murphy
Fire Information Officers
Wildfire Management Branch
Cariboo Fire Centre
250 989-2665