B.C. fires: evacuations ordered near Puntzi Lake, Hazelton

15 homes on the northwest side of Puntzi Lake in the Cariboo region of B.C. have been placed under an evacuation order by municipal officials because of a nearby fire.

The Cariboo Regional District has also placed the southwest and north shore of the lake under evacuation alert.

The Puntzi Lake wildfire was 500 hectares in size on Wednesday and was zero per cent contained.

The B.C. Wildfire Service had four air tankers, three helicopters and 22 firefighters fighting the fire on Wednesday, with an additional 50 firefighters and eight pieces of heavy equipment en route.

The regional district activated its emergency operations centre yesterday and established an emergency social-services reception centre in Williams Lake.

Evacuation near Hazelton

Meanwhile, the B.C. Wildfire Service says police evacuated one home and placed others under alert southwest of Hazelton. The fire is about one hectare in size, no structures are immediately threatened and its cause is still under investigation.

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The service says firefighters are on scene and they are being supported by two air tankers and two helicopters that are bucketing water onto the flames. Mounties briefly closed Highway 16 in both directions due to the fire's proximity.