A wildfire that broke out Friday afternoon near Tunkwa Lake has now led to 166 evacuation orders.

The Durand Lake wildfire is suspected to have been caused by lightning according to the BC Wildfire Service, and as of late Friday night it was mapped at 450 hectares.

The evacuation order covers properties at Tunkwa Lake and Leighton Lake and places further east, including Paska Lake. The Thompson Nicola Regional District had put 71 properties on evacuation order, and, just over an hour later, another 95 properties.

The TNRD is asking evacuees who need accommodation to register with Emergency Social Services either in Merritt, at 1950 Mamette Avenue, or in Chilliwack, at 46363 Yale Road. Anyone who can stay with family or friends is told they can register with ESS in Kamloops, at the McArthur Island Events Centre.

The BC Wildfire Service had four firefighters and a helicopter at the blaze yesterday. The Logan Lake Fire Department is also working the fire.

This was one of 84 new wildfires that started in B.C. on Friday, with 34 suspected to be lightning-caused and 50 believed to be started by human activity. At time of posting Saturday morning, there were 177 active fires across the province.