Properties north of Quesnel are under an evacuation order

The BC Wildfire Service issued an evacuation order for five properties north of Hixon, a small community 60 kilometres north of Quesnel.

The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George says five other properties have also been placed on alert.

Those under the evacuation order are told to leave immediately and head south towards the community of Hixon.

The BC Wildfire Service says the Hixon Wildfire is about 70 hectares in size and north of Naver Creek. The fire has been burning since Friday evening.

Karley Desrosiers, public information officer at the BC Wildfire Service, says the fire has seen no significant growth due to overnight rain. “With cooler temperatures today, we are not anticipating a significant increase in wildfire activity,” Desrosiers said.

At the same time, the Wildfire Service notices stronger, gusty winds today. These could have the potential to cause a bit of an uptick in fire behavior.

Desrosiers says there is no imminent threat to properties as of now.

There are currently 40 wildfires in B.C., most of them in the Prince George Fire Centre district of the province. Eleven of those fires are classified as “out of control,” while 29 are either under control or not expected to grow.