Evacuation orders have been issued in the interior areas of British Columbia by the Cheslatta Carrier Nation and the Bulkley-Nechako Regional District due to wildfires at Wales Creek.

The orders cover all properties along Ootsa Lake Road, including Petkau Road, Marilla Road, St. Marys Pit Road, to Marilla Main FSR, including IR 1, and Parcel 11 (East Ootsa Charlie Reserve).

The wildfires, covering an area of 79 square kilometers, are listed as out of control.

The orders come a day after the Central Okanagan Regional District lifted similar orders for a total of 50 properties in West Kelowna and two other areas due to wildfires, downgrading their status to alert.

This move means that dozens of people in the Kamloops, Shuswap, and Kelowna areas can return to their homes, but regional fire officials have stated that residents should be prepared to leave on short notice.

Currently, there are 405 properties under evacuation order and 20,011 properties on evacuation alert in the West Kelowna area.