Gun Lake, B.C. ordered to evacuate as nearby wildfire grows
Posted August 1, 2023 7:17 pm.
Last Updated August 1, 2023 10:40 pm.
A growing and “out of control” wildfire has dozens of waterfront properties north of Whistler under an urgent evacuation order.
According to the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, the evacuation order issued for the Gun Lake area Tuesday afternoon has become critical.
The district added to the alert Tuesday evening, expanding to properties south of Gun Lake and up to Tyaughton Lake.
#Evacuation Alert issued by Squamish-Lillooet RD for Gun Creek & Tyaughton Lake of Electoral Area A due to Downton Lake wildfire.
Anyone in the area should be ready to leave on short notice.
More info: https://t.co/Tpl04aui1C @slrd_bc #BCwildfire #Lillooet https://t.co/BjPmsRhJYt— Emergency Info BC (@EmergencyInfoBC) August 2, 2023
People are being told to avoid the flames on the west side of the lake and make for emergency services locations in Lillooet or Whistler right away.
The district says the Downton Lake Fire poses a “potential danger to life and health” to those currently near Gun Lake and in its surrounding area.
As of just after 1 p.m., the BC Wildfire Service has the blaze listed at 875 hectares or almost nine square kilometres in size.
The fire is burning on the north end of Downton Lake itself, and the service says it was initially sparked by a lightning strike.
