UPDATE: 10:20 p.m.
Twenty more families are being evacuated tonight, as their homes sit in the path of the out-of-control forest fire sweeping north of Princeton.
Residents along the first 20 km of Summer Creek Road are now fleeing their properties.
People staying in campsites in the area are also being advised to leave immediately.
The community of Missezula Lake, at the end of Summers Creek Road, has been placed on advisory Evacuation Alert. Residents there are being advised to shelter in place.
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UPDATE: 9 p.m.
The BC Wildfire Service estimates the fire near Princeton is now 200 hectares in size.
Fire Information Officer Jody Lucius says the fire is out of control and growing quickly with high winds in the area.
Properties between Summers Creek Road and Dry Lake north of Princeton along Highway 5A are being evacuated due to a wildfire.
The area evacuated is approximately 10 kilometres north of Princteon.
The BC Wildfire Service, RCMP and the Town of Princeton Fire Service are on scene.
Lucius says 30 provincial firefighters were on site, but high winds and heavy smoke is making the blaze difficult to fight from the ground.
Ground crews are being aided by air support and heavy machinery.
Bombers and helicopters are flying overhead dropping water.
An Emergency Social Services Reception Centre is set up at the Riverside Community Centre in Princeton at 148 Old Hedley Road.
Highway 5A is closed in both directions at the junction with Highway 3, in Princeton because of fire. Alternate routes are available via Hwy. 3, Hwy. 97 and Hwy 97C.
Crews have been responding to a N of , currently ~200 ha in size. For continuing updates:
鈥� BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo)
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ORIGINAL:
Residents along Highway 5A just north of Princeton are being evacuated now as a wildfire blazes out of control.
Residents from Summer Creek Road to Dry Lake are leaving their homes. An evacuation center is being established at Princeton鈥檚 Riverside Centre.
The highway is closed now at the Princeton Airport. Fire crews told a Spotlight photographer that the blaze is spreading at one-quarter kilometer an hour.
Bombers and helicopters are flying overhead dropping water.
