In a preventative measure, the Cariboo Regional District has issued an evacuation order for a 400 metre radius of a rolled over tanker truck carrying dangerous cargo on Highway 97, approximately 14 kilometres north of Williams Lake.
The Evacuation Order will be in effect from 12 noon today and is expected to be in place for approximately six to eight hours while the site is cleared and the dangerous cargo is unloaded.
Central Cariboo Search and Rescue and the RCMP will be conducting the evacuation within the affected area immediately.
Residents are asked to cooperate with the evacuation order and are reminded it is illegal for children under the age of 18 years to remain in an evacuated area.
The perimeter of the evacuation area is defined as a 400 metre buffer zone from the spill site located on Highway 97 at Wildwood between Hickory Road and the West Coast Road Intersections at Highway 97. Traffic is being re-routed on Mountain House Road, to the Likely Road to Highway 97 in both directions.
An Emergency Social Services Centre for displaced residents has been established at the Salvation Army building located at 267 Borland Street. The ESS team will be fully operational by 1 p.m.
Residents in the immediate and surrounding area are asked to refrain from any open burning until the Evacuation Order is rescinded.
The CRD reminds residents and the general public travelling through the area to expect delays if travelling on Highway 97 near the Wildwood area and appreciate the public’s patience until the scene is cleared.
For up to date road conditions, please visit drivebc.ca. For current evacuation updates, please visit the CRD website at www.cariboord.bc.ca or the CRD Emergency Operations Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CRDemergencyoperations contact the Cariboo Regional District at 250-392-3351.
