A wildfire began burning out of control near Chetwynd Monday night.
The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) says the Windy Creek wildfire, discovered Monday, already covers approximately 40 hectares.
Fire Information Officer Karley Desrosiers says the fire, which is suspected to have been human-caused, grew quickly due to hot temperatures and strong winds.
She says ground crews are on site with heavy equipment.
“We also had aircraft respond, so there were four helicopters supporting with buckets, dropping water, and air tankers responded as well,” Desrosiers explained.
“They dropped several loads of retardant that was effective in slowing the progression to the north and enabling crews to get in there and slow the growth, but we were expecting it to continue to grow.”
Speaking Monday, she hoped overnight temperatures would help, but said the BCWS had requested additional crews for Tuesday.
Desrosiers says no structures are currently at risk, but smoke can be seen from Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, and Alberta.
The Windy Creek wildfire, she says, is a reminder that fires ignite and grow quickly, and those in the Prince George Fire Centre area should be especially cautious.
“It wouldn’t be difficult to see more experiences like we saw today.”
As of Tuesday morning, 21 wildfires were burning in B.C., six of which started in the last 24 hours.
—With files from David Nadalini