Williams Lake is preparing to receive more evacuees after a new evacuation order was issued on September 7 for communities threatened by wildfire in the Cariboo region. The order, issued at 1 p.m. by the Cariboo Regional District, affects 85 parcels and 42 structures in the Smokey Lake Fire Area. Covering 67,537 hectares, the evacuation zone includes parts of the Tatla Lake community in the West Chilcotin. Tatla Lake lies about 220 kilometers west of Williams Lake on the Chilcotin Plateau.
Officials warned that the order was necessary due to an immediate risk to life and safety. Residents were instructed to leave the area without delay. The evacuation route requires residents to travel east on Highway 20 to Williams Lake, as wildfire activity has forced the closure of Highway 20 to the west. That closure extends nearly 70 kilometers, from 18 kilometers east of Firvale in the Bella Coola Valley to six kilometers west of Anahim Lake. Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers, alongside emergency personnel, are assisting with enforcement of the evacuation order and guiding residents to safety.
Emergency support services in Williams Lake are already processing displaced residents, with numbers expected to increase following the latest order. Around 100 people had been registered by September 6, and officials expect more arrivals in the coming days. To streamline assistance, evacuees are encouraged to pre-register using the BC Services app. Dave Dickson, director of emergency support service for the city, noted that pre-registration can speed up access to services and emergency funds. However, he acknowledged that many rural residents do not use smartphones, so in-person registration remains available.
“It makes life so much easier,” Dickson explained, describing the process as simple and efficient. He reassured residents that anyone arriving at the centre will still receive support, regardless of whether they use the app. A reception centre has been set up at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex in Williams Lake. The facility provides refreshments, information, and essential services. Once the centre closes, evacuees can call emergency support services directly at 250-267-4871 for assistance.
Accommodation in Williams Lake is currently stretched to its limit. About 40 evacuees have been placed in local hotel rooms, while others have been directed to Prince George or Kamloops. Support workers are advising residents to stay with friends or family if possible, to ease pressure on local housing. Livestock owners can also access guidance on relocating animals, with several resources being coordinated to provide support.
Despite the challenges, Dickson praised both evacuees and community members for their resilience and generosity. “People have been wonderful,” he said, noting the many offers of help that continue to arrive. “That’s what it’s about, helping people.”
In addition to the order, an evacuation alert remains active in other areas of Tatla Lake. This includes the West Chilcotin Health Centre, which is continuing to operate normally for appointments and urgent services. Interior Health is monitoring developments closely and will follow any updated directions from the Cariboo Regional District. With wildfires continuing to spread across the region, officials are urging residents to remain alert and prepared for changing conditions. The growing wildfire threat highlights the need for quick response and community cooperation as more people are displaced from their homes.
For now, Williams Lake remains the central hub for evacuees seeking safety, support, and guidance in the face of one of the region’s most pressing wildfire emergencies.
