Big Bar Lake evacuation order issued as Fiftynine Creek wildfire expands

The Thompson‑Nicola Regional District (TNRD) issued an evacuation order for roughly 107 properties around Big Bar Lake in the south Cariboo region after the Fiftynine Creek wildfire grew to an estimated 4,000 hectares and was classified as out of control by the B.C. Wildfire Service. Residents were instructed to leave immediately, using Big Bar Road east to Highway 97 or, if unsafe, west to Meadow Lake or Jesmond. An expanded alert later covered up to 131 properties, adding addresses on Big Bar Road, Isadore Road, Marriot Road, Sharptail Road and nearby routes. Emergency Support Services were made available at Clinton Memorial Hall, and residents were urged to bring essential items, secure pets and avoid turning off natural gas.

A separate but related incident involved the French Bar Creek wildfire, now about 5,867 hectares, prompting an evacuation order for three properties and a broader alert for the Bonaparte Plateau area. The same district provided similar safety instructions and support resources. Ground crews and aircraft continue to battle both fires, with no immediate indication of containment.