CARIBOO — Alerts for evacuation have been issued for properties near two out-of-control wildfires in central B.C., including the small community of Endako, as concerns about a long wildfire season in the province begin to become real.
The Cariboo Regional District issued an alert on Sunday night covering six parcels of land over 32 square kilometres, stating that a fire in the Burgess Creek area is risky and residents should get ready to leave suddenly.
The B.C. Wildfire Service states that the Burgess Creek fire, about 600 kilometres north of Vancouver, was found on Saturday and has expanded to 1.6 square kilometres.
About 400 kilometres northwest of that blaze, a fire is endangering Endako, a community of several dozen properties alongside Highway 16.
The Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako stated in an alert issued Sunday afternoon that the entire town is under danger.
Information released Monday by the B.C. Wildfire Service reveals that nine wildfires began in the province in the previous 24 hours.
Officials have been concerned that this year's wildfire season could be difficult, as much of the province continues to experience significant drought and record low snowpack levels.
In the previous wildfire season, more than 28,400 square kilometres of forest and land burned, hundreds of homes were destroyed, and tens of thousands of people were forced to evacuate.
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