More lightning strikes keep crews busy in Northwest overnight

Some severe weather passed through the Northwest and Bulkley Valley on Monday morning and afternoon, and following the thunderstorm and lightning activity, the BC Wildfire Service updated their maps to indicate that five new fires had been discovered and crews dispatched towards.

In an information bulletin issued mid afternoon on Monday, three of the fires were reported in the Skeena Fire Zone, with the remaining two noted in the Bulkley and Nadina Fire Zones.

On note from the Northwest fires, is small a fire burning 35 kilometres east of Kitimat, that has yet to be brought under control.

The full list of recently added fires includes:

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.

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.

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.

An additional four fires are noted for the Cassiar Fire Zone north of Stewart, with two of the four considered significant, one of which 135 kilometres NW of Dease Lake currently listed at 250 hectares and out of control.

The Wildfire Service notes that more lightning activity is expected to carry over through today in the region which could spark further incidents of wildfires.  They continue to conduct air and ground patrols to monitor any activity.

For those who may be travelling through the inland areas, the number to call to report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violations is 1-800-663-5555 toll free, or *5555 on a cellphone.

You can review the up to date listings from the BC Wildfire Service here, by clicking on each of the dots on the map.

Past information releases can be reviewed from the BC Wildfire Service website

More notes on efforts related to Wildfires across the Northwest can be found from our archive page here.

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