Helicopter Evacuations Underway in Prince George

Wildfires have ramped up near the city of Prince George forcing nearly 80 people out of more than 800 properties resulting in helicopter evacuations are underway in northwestern British Columbia

The wildfire cut off access to a forestry service road, prompted the RCMP to evacuate at least four families by chopper as reported by Emily Epp from the Cariboo Regional District

Residents in the area are being evacuated to an emergency reception centre in Prince George, roughly 250 kilometres northeast of the evacuation zone, which was expanded to over 900 properties this morning.

Epp says the majority of the wildfires in the area were caused by a massive lightning storm several weeks ago, connecting fires near Williams Lake, B.C., to fires 300 kilometres west in Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park.