The Eutsuk Lake wildfire continues to burn actively and smoke from this fire may be visible in Prince George, Quesnel, Williams Lake and surrounding areas.

This modified response fire in Tweedsmuir North Provincial Park is currently estimated at 660 hectares.

The fire grew by approximately 400 hectares over the past 24 hours, causing a significant amount of smoke to drift throughout central B.C. Any further growth in the fire's size over the next few days may cause smoke to drift into other nearby communities.

The Eutsuk Lake fire is burning in an isolated area and is not threatening any major communities. However, the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako has issued an evacuation alert for residents and recreational users of Tetachuk Lake.

More information about this evacuation alert is available at: www.rdbn.bc.ca/protectiveservices

The Eutsuk Lake fire 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.

Although this fire is not being actively suppressed, Wildfire Management Branch crews are working with structure protection specialists to install sprinkler equipment at cabins within the affected area.

A modified response recognizes that fire is 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 in the Northwest Fire Centre, the Prince George Fire Centre and the Cariboo Fire Centre is currently "moderate" to "extreme."

With hot and dry weather expected through the weekend, the public is reminded to use fire carefully and to remain vigilant. Do not light a fire in windy conditions and always keep enough water and hand tools nearby to completely extinguish a fire before leaving the area.

The Northwest Fire Centre, the Prince George Fire Centre and the Cariboo Fire Centre would like to thank the public for its help reporting wildfires in the region and for using fire safely 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