Several new wildfires started in the Northwest Fire Centre over the weekend, due to lightning storms that have been moving through the region.  

Since July 5, 2019, the BC Wildfire Service has responded to nine new fires that are suspected to be lightning-caused. Most of these fires were detected within the past 24 hours and most are smaller than one hectare.

Nadina Fire Zone:

• R20888: This fire is about 75 kilometres west of Houston near the Burnie River. It covers less than one hectare and is currently being held.

Bulkley Fire Zone:

• R30895: This fire is about four kilometres southwest of Witset on the north side of Duckwing Lake. It is a smouldering ground fire and covers less than one hectare. Crews are on-site today.

Skeena Fire Zone:

• R50878: This fire is about 30 kilometres south of Terrace and about 23 kilometres north of Kitimat, near Highway 37. It covers less than one hectare and is under control.
• R50882: This fire is about 3.5 kilometres northeast of Bell II. It covers less than one hectare and is under control.
• R50896: This fire is about 35 kilometres east of Kitimat near the Kitimat River. It covers about half a hectare and is currently classified as out of control. Crews are working on this fire.

Cassiar Fire Zone:

• R90897: This fire is about 33 kilometres southwest of Bob Quinn Lake on the west bank of the Iskut River. It covers less than one hectare and is currently classified as out of control. Crews are working on this fire, supported by aircraft.
• R90900: This fire is about 33 kilometres southwest of Bob Quinn Lake on the east bank of the Iskut River. It covers about half a hectare and is currently classified as out of control. Crews are working on this fire, supported by aircraft.
• R90894: This fire is in remote terrain about 135 kilometres northwest of Dease Lake and about 115 kilometres southeast of Atlin. It covers about 250 hectares and is currently classified as out of control. The BC Wildfire Service is monitoring this fire and devising a response plan.
• R90881: This fire is about 40 kilometres west of Atlin on the southwest arm of Tagish Lake. It covers about six hectares and is currently classified as out of control. The BC Wildfire Service is monitoring this fire and devising a response plan.

Smoke that is visible in some parts of the Cassiar Fire Zone (including the communities of Iskut, Dease Lake, Telegraph Creek and Atlin) is due to several large wildfires burning in the Yukon and Alaska.

More lightning is expected throughout the Northwest Fire Centre today and tomorrow, July 9. The BC Wildfire Service is conducting ongoing air and ground patrols to monitor the region for new wildfire starts. 

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

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