The BC Wildfire Service is responding to a new fire approximately 25 kilometres northwest of Fraser Lake.

The fire is about 291 hectares in size, and is burning close to Shovel Lake. Smoke is highly visible throughout the Fraser Lake area along the Highway 16 corridor.

The Shovel Lake fire is burning rank two and three – a low-to-moderate vigorous surface fire. It is currently burning in timber and surrounding cut-blocks. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The BC Wildfire Service is fighting the fire from two access points. On site today are 53 personnel, nine pieces of heavy equipment, two air tankers and five helicopters. A separate group of air tankers is positioned in Smithers.

A number of homes and properties are located within a 10-kilometre radius of the fire, and are currently not threatened.

Since April 1, 2018, 64 fires have started in the Northwest Fire Centre: 42 lightning-caused and 22 human-caused.

The BC Wildfire Service is bracing for some new fire starts this weekend as a result of the high fire danger rating, combined with heat and lightning in the forecast.

Currently, 111 fires are burning throughout the province. Since April 1, 2018, there have been 852 fires.

Air quality advisories are in effect for most of the province as a result of smoke from wildfires. Most of this smoke can be attributed to local fires, but some, especially in the North, has drifted in from other provinces as well as internationally.

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

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

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