Dozens of people were forced from their homes in 70 Mile House on Saturday, as a forest fire threatened to engulf the central British Columbia community.

Driven by high winds, the fire was reported to be closing in on a 60-home subdivision where at least two homes had been burned down.

70 Mile House is located on the Cariboo Highway 97, 32 kilometres north of Clinton.

At around supper time Saturday, part of Hwy. 97 had been blocked off to facilitate authorities as they attempted to deal with the situation.

"It's very dry and windy up there,'' said Donna MacPherson, a spokesman for the wildfire suppression branch of the B.C. Ministry of Forests and Range.

Since authorities were alerted at around 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, the fire had spread across 150 hectares, fueled by dry grass and dead Pine trees.

MacPherson said 16 firefighters were battling the blaze on Saturday evening, with another 20 on the way. They were supported by two helicopters.