An evacuation alert has been issued for parts of Pemberton, B.C., as the Signal Hill wildfire spreads in the region. The Village of Pemberton issued the alert around 11:30 p.m. PT on Wednesday. Concurrently, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) issued an alert for all properties in Area C, spanning Collins Road to One Mile Lake and up to the Lillooet River, advising residents to prepare for a potential evacuation due to the danger to life and health. An official evacuation order is also in place for One Mile Lake Park to provide a safe working space for crews supporting fire operations.
The village reported on its website early Thursday morning that the wildfire was discovered approximately five kilometres from Highway 99. According to the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) midnight update, the fire has grown to about 0.1 square kilometres (10 hectares) in size. The wildfire service warned that heavy smoke may be highly visible across the area. Multiple ground crews are actively responding to the blaze, supported by helicopters and an air tanker.
The BCWS noted that nearby structures are not currently at risk, and defending these values remains the primary objective of the assigned resources. On social media, the wildfire service highlighted that water skimmers are working out of Green Lake, located northeast of Whistler. People in the area are being asked to remain aware of their surroundings and give the crews adequate space, advising individuals to clear the area immediately and stay near the shore if firefighting aircraft are nearby to avoid interfering with operations. The Signal Hill wildfire is suspected to be human-caused, which is the standard categorization for any wildfire not sparked by lightning.
