BC Gov News

The BC Wildfire Service has responded to 45 new wildfires in the Prince George Fire Centre since the morning of April 18, 2016. Many of these fires are burning in the Peace region where 14 fires are currently estimated to be over 100 hectares in size.

Currently there are six fires of note in the Prince George Fire Centre. Four evacuation alerts or evacuation orders have been put in place by the Peace River Regional District and the District of Hudson’s Hope. Further information can be found at: www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca

• The Charlie Lake fire (G80065) west of Charlie Lake, near Fort St. John, is estimated at 250 hectares in size. The local fire department is responding. The Peace River Regional District has issued an evacuation order and alert related to this wildfire.
• The South Taylor Hill fire (G70067), which is south of community of Taylor, B.C., is estimated at 850 hectares in size. BC Wildfire Service firefighters are on site assisting with the local fire department. The Peace River Regional District has issued an evacuation order and alert related to this wildfire.
• The Baldonnel fire (G80040), which is located five kilometres east of the community of Baldonnel, is estimated at 420 hectares in size. Fire activity has significantly decreased and the local fire department is responding to this incident. The Peace River Regional District has issued an evacuation order and alert related to this wildfire.
• The Attachie fire (G80051), which is located 35 kilometres west of Fort St. John, along Highway 29, is estimated at 500 hectares in size. BC Wildfire Service crews are on site. Travel advisories have been issued along Highway 29.
• The Beaton Airport Road fire (G80046), which is located 45 kilometres north of Fort St. John, is estimated at 4500 hectares in size, although ascertaining an accurate size is difficult due to smoke and poor visibility. Resources are being sent to this incident. No evacuation alerts or orders have been issued at this time.
• The Hudson’s Hope fire (G70037), which is located four kilometres northwest of Hudson’s Hope, is estimated at 300 hectares in size. BC Wildfire Service crews are on site assisting the local fire department. The District of Hudson’s Hope has issued an evacuation alert related to this wildfire.  

Many local roads and highways have been affected by these fires and associated smoke. For up-to-date information on current road closures, visit: www.drivebc.ca

Due to the unseasonably warm and dry conditions and the current level of fire activity, the Prince George Fire Centre will prohibit all open fires larger than a campfire (a half-metre wide by a half-metre high, or smaller) at noon on April 20, 2016. Further information about these upcoming prohibitions can be found at: http://bcwildfire.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=2621

The BC Wildfire Service would like to thank the public for the numerous phone reports they submitted about fires in the Prince George Fire Centre, which allowed crews to respond quickly.

To report a wildfire, abandoned campfire or burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.

For up-to-date information on current wildfire activity, conditions and prohibitions, call 1 888 3-FOREST, or visit: www.bcwildfire.ca

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