1,500 British Columbia residents under evacuation order after jet fuel spill

Officials in British Columbia's Central Kootenay region say about 1,500 people are under an evacuation order after a truck carrying 9,250 gallons (35,000 liters) of jet fuel crashed into a creek.

The truck was en route to supply helicopters battling wildfires in the Perry Ridge area when the accident took place Friday night.

Bill Macpherson, public information officer with the Regional District of Central Kootenay, said Saturday that the evacuation order isn't mandatory, but added that " a number of people" have checked into emergency centers set up at three local schools.

Macpherson says the driver of the tanker was hospitalized with minor injuries, but no residents have reported medical concerns related to the spill.

He says a hazaradous materials crew from Vancouver is working to contain the spill.