Williams Lake, B.C., wildfire being held, evacuation alert lifted

A wildfire that had threatened several homes and businesses in Williams Lake, B.C., is now being held, officials say.

The River Valley Wildfire broke out Sunday after a tree fell on power lines on the city's west, official say.

It quickly spread, prompting tactical evacuations and a localized state of emergency impacting several homes and businesses.

One unused building was partially destroyed, MayorSurinderpal Rathorsaid.

Crews continued to fight the fire Monday and by Tuesday afternoon, the city said it had made enough progress that an evacuation alert that had been in place could be lifted.

The B.C. Wildfire Service has now listed the fire as "being held", which means it is not likely to spread beyond current boundaries.

Additionally, closed roads were reopened and residents were once allowed to use Williams Lake, the body of water from which the city gets its name, after it had been closed to ensure emergency responders could access the water.

The city warned that the River Valley is still an "active emergency response area" which is closed to the public, and that smoke would still be highly visible as crews continued to fight the flames.

"We would like to thank the 50-plus emergency responders that helped save our community," Ashley Williston, City of Williams Lake emergency operations centre deputy director, said in a video posted online.

"Being here has affordedus the opportunity to see how dedicated they all are."