B.C. First Nation issues evacuation order as wildfire burns nearby

CHASE — The Village of Chase in British Columbia’s Interior has activated its emergency operations centre as a wildfire burns in the area.

The village said in a statement that the nearby Neskonlith Indian Band issued an evacuation order because of the fast-spreading wildfire that was discovered Monday.

Neskonlith Chief Irwin Wai told CFJC news that the band ordered people in 40 properties to leave.

Wai said they don’t believe structures are in danger right now and they hoped BC Wildfire Service crews, on land and in the air, would have the fire contained within hours.

He said those who have been ordered to leave should go to the reception centre at the Adams Lake Conference Centre.

The BC Wildfire Service said the fire was human caused and had grown to 35 hectares in size by Monday night.

It was still burning out of control at that time, but the Village of Chase noted in a late-Monday update that the fire was moving to the south and east, away from Chase and Neskonlith’s community.

The update said helicopters would be working on the fire overnight along with ground crews, and that more information will be shared at 10:00 a.m. local time Tuesday.

(CFJC)

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 30, 2025.