Drones, water access banned in Williams Lake as wildfire burns [Video]

Crews have made progress against a fast-moving wildfire in the city of Williams Lake, in B.C.’s central Interior, though several homes and businesses have been told to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.

In a video update posted to the city’s Facebook page shortly before 5 p.m. PT Monday, the city’s emergency operations director Rob Warnock said an influx of reources from neighbouring communities had helped local crews gain “significant ground” on the blaze, which broke out Sunday evening.

But, he said, evacuation alerts and road closures remain in effect as officials plan to continue the fight into the night and Tuesday morning.

The city has declared a local state of emergency and has banned all public access to Williams Lake, the body of water from which the city gets its name, in order to ensure access for emergency crews.

The city has also issued a notice urging residents to conserve water to ensure an adequate supply for emergency crews and …