Evacuation order and alerts due to wildfire near Pemberton, B.C.

After a slow start to B.C.’s Wildfire season, it’s now roaring to life.

A park in Pemberton, B.C., has been ordered to evacuate and several properties within the town are on evacuation alert due to a nearby wildfire.

The human-caused blaze was discovered Wednesday afternoon five kilometres from Highway 99 and has burned 10 hectares so far, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service.

The orders and alerts were issued by the Village of Pemberton and Squamish-Lillooet Regional District late Wednesday night.

Officials asked the public to stay out of One Mile Lake Park to leave crews space to safely work.

In an update just after midnight, BCWS said firefighters, helicopters, and an air tanker were responding and crews would work through the night.

It said nearby structures were not currently at risk.

Officials are bracing for fire activity to increase Thursday amid hot and dry weather and lightning in the forecast.

As of Thursday morning, there were 31 active wildfires in B.C., 14 of which started in the previous 24 hours.