It’s been a frustrating day for crews battling wildfires near Telegraph Creek.
The BC Wildfire Service says not only has the Alkali Lake fire shown some of the most aggressive behaviour they’ve ever seen, another fire in the area has grown significantly.
During a Monday afternoon update to evacuees, officials say a fire they’re calling the South Stikine fire has jumped a nearby river and has grown to 4200 hectares.
The Alkali Lake Fire has also grown to 6000 hectares, but wildfire officials caution that fire behaviour and heavy smoke make mapping the fires very difficult.
That extreme fire behaviour and heavy smoke has also prevented more ground crews from tackling the blazes because it’s tough for helicopters to get crews out of harm’s way if necessary. Heavy equipment hoping to get to the fire were turned back because of the extreme fire activity.
The BC Wildfire Service is hoping to have more air resources coming to the region and heavy equipment back on the fire Monday night to help tie off a guard around the blaze and further protect Telegraph Creek.
