Wildfire evacuations ordered west of Grand Forks, B.C. [Video]

Evacuations are underway near Grand Forks, B.C., as a newly discovered out-of-control wildfire encroaches.

The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary issued an evacuation order and an emergency alert Wednesday due to the Goosmus wildfire, which it says is “a threat to life and safety.”

People living west of Highway 41 and south of Highway 3 – as well as those with properties west of Highway 3 between Sleepy Hollow and Phoenix roads – are subject to the evacuation order, and the regional district said “tactical evacuations” had begun. 

More than 150 properties were subject to evacuation orders as of Wednesday evening, with more than 550 placed on evacuation alert, their residents told to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.

The district said people living in the area should evacuate immediately and head east along Highway 3 to Jack Goddard Memorial Arena in Grand Forks, where a Red Cross reception centre will open at 7 p.m.

Highway 3 will be closed to traffic, …