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An urgent alert from the Fraser Valley Regional District instructs all residents remaining in Boston Bar, British Columbia, to leave the city immediately.
It said a new forest fire that broke out south of the community was spreading quickly due to strong winds.
“You are in danger and should evacuate immediately,” the county said in a statement. “For your safety, residents remaining in the village must leave immediately.”
The wildfire has closed Highway 1 in both directions from 3 km south of the summit of Mount Jackass to 22 km north of Yale University.
Highway 5 is used as an alternate route. Those evacuating the Boston Bar should travel north on Highway 1.
The fire is about 300 hectares (3 square kilometers) in size and the BC Forest Fire Service is classifying it as out of control, meaning it is spreading or expected to spread.
The fire service told CBC News it is a localized fire resulting from the Brunswick Creek wildfire.
Last week, the Brunswick Creek complex of wildfires, which includes the Brunswick Creek and Ainslie Creek wildfires that have been burning since early July, prompted evacuation orders for about 450 properties in the area.
But officials say some residents have decided to stay. It is unclear how many people violated the order.
The Fraser Valley Regional District has opened an evacuee reception center in Kamloops at the MacArthur Island Sports Centre, located at 1665 Island Parkway.
More to come.