UPDATE: 8:30 p.m.
The human-caused Merry Creek Wildfire has burned 15 hectares of land near Castlegar. The BC Wildfire Service considers the fire out of control.
The BC Wildfire Service are assisting local fire departments with 25 firefighters, two helicopters and two airtankers.
Ground crews will continue supporting fire departments overnight.
The Regional District of Central Kootenay has expanded its evacuation order for properties surrounding the Merry Creek Fire.
A total of 31 properties in Area J just outside of the City of Castlegar boundaries are now included in the order.
The Evacuation area covers residential addresses on 14th Ave., Fernwood Drive, Highway 3, Killough Road, Lucas Ave, Lucas Road, Mason Road and Merry Creek Forest Service Road.
The evacuation orders for properties within the City of Castlegar have been downgraded to evacuation alerts. The city says the decision was made based on the current status of the Merry Creek Wildfire and favourable weather expected overnight.
Residents of Castleview Care Centre are spending the night at the Castlegar Community Complex.
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UPDATE: 6:00 p.m.
The BC Wildfire Service has listed the Merry Creek Fire burning in Castlegar as human caused.
More evacuation orders have been put in place as the fire has crossed highway and is now burning on both sides of Highway 3, which remains closed to traffic.
The Castlegar Emergency Operations Centre reports the portion of the fire within city limits is contained, but the fire continues to burn near the Merry Creek Forest Services Road.
The Regional District of Central Kootenay has now declared a state of emergency in Area J due to the fire.
Within the city, evacuation orders are in place for Meadowbrook Drive, Tassone Place, Highland Drive and the Castleview Care Centre.
At 5:20 p.m. an evacuation alert was issued for 14th Avenue north of Highway 3, Forest Road and Grosvenor Place.
All of the residents of Castleview Care Centre have been safely evacuated.
In the RDCK, evacuation orders are in place for addresses on 14th Ave., Fernwood Drive, Highway 3, Killough Road, Lucas Ave., Lucas Road, Mason Road and Merry Creek Forest Service Road.
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betsy.kline@castlegarnews.com
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