Smoke from a large wildfire burning in Tweedsmuir North Provincial Park may be visible in Prince George, Quesnel, Kenney Dam and surrounding areas. This modified response fire near Eutsuk Lake is burning actively and is currently estimated at 120 hectares.

Any further growth in the fire's size over the next few days may cause smoke to drift into these areas and other nearby communities.

The Eutsuk Lake fire is burning in an isolated area and is not threatening any communities or infrastructure. It has been designated a "modified response" fire, since it is burning within a forest type that will benefit from wildfire activity. This approach is in accordance with the Fire Management Plan set out for Tweedsmuir Park.

The fire will be monitored frequently by forest protection officers, and fire suppression activity may begin if it reaches specified "trigger points."

This approach recognizes fire as a natural part of a forest's life cycle. Fire returns nutrients to the soil, resulting in new growth and the creation of habitat that is preferred by some wildlife. Fire also helps to remove forest fuel buildup and creates a natural firebreak that will make future fires easier to contain.

The fire danger rating throughout the Northwest Fire Centre and the Prince George Fire Centre is currently "moderate" to "extreme."

With hot and dry weather expected through the weekend, the Northwest Fire Centre would like to remind the public to be vigilant in its use of fire. Do not light a fire in windy conditions and always keep enough water and hand tools nearby to extinguish the fire before leaving the area.

The Northwest Fire Centre would like to thank the public for its help in reporting wildfires in the region and for the safe use of fire during this period of elevated fire danger.

To report a wildfire or an unattended campfire, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or dial *5555 on a cellphone.

For the latest information on fire activity, conditions and prohibitions, visit the Wildfire Management Branch website: www.bcwildfire.ca

You also can follow the latest wildfire news:

on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo

on Facebook at: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

Media Contact:

Suzanne Pearce
Fire Information Officer
Wildfire Management Branch
Northwest Fire Centre
250 847-6639