The BC Wildfire Service is currently responding to 13 wildfires in the Bulkley Fire Zone, within the Northwest Fire Centre.

Details about some of the more notable fires are provided below.

Torkelsen Lake fire:

• The Torkelsen Lake fire (R32182) is burning about 18 kilometres up the Nilkitkwa Forest Service Road, about 25 kilometres south of Fort Babine. It covers about 150 hectares and most of the fire’s recent growth has been toward the northeast. 
• The Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako has an evacuation order in place for the “5-mile cabin colony” north of Smithers Landing.
• The Nilkitkwa Forest Service road is currently open to traffic. Travellers may see firefighting personnel on the road near the 18-kilometre marker.
• For more information about the Torkelsen Lake fire and maps related to the evacuation order, visit the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako website: http://www.rdbn.bc.ca

Pope Forest Service Road fire:

• The lightning-caused Pope Forest Service Road wildfire is in the Murder Creek area in the Kispiox Valley, about 37 kilometres northwest of Hazelton. It covers about 80 hectares.

Gail Creek Forest Service Road fire and West Babine River fire:

• The Gail Creek Forest Service Road fire and the West Babine River fire are burning on opposite sides of Babine River Corridor Provincial Park, about 18 kilometres up the Gail Creek Forest Service Road and about 47 kilometres northeast of Hazelton.
• The Gail Creek fire covers about 65 hectares, while the West Babine River fire covers about 800 hectares.
• Both of these fires were started by lightning.

Witset Fire: 

• The Witset fire is about one kilometre southeast of Moricetown and covers about 0.9 hectares.
• Ground crews have contained this fire and are continuing to mop up at the site.

The BC Wildfire Service prohibited campfires, Category 2 open burns and Category 3 open burns within the Northwest Fire Centre’s jurisdiction on Aug. 3, 2018, to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety. This prohibition will remain in effect until the public is otherwise notified.

Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a violation ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

To report a wildfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free, or *5555 on a cellphone. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, call 1 888-3-FOREST or visit: http://www.bcwildfire.ca

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