A new wildfire is burning out of control in northern British Columbia, fueled by strong winds and dry conditions that have prompted the provincial wildfire service to warn of potentially rapid expansion.
The Windy Creek wildfire was discovered approximately 30 kilometres northeast of Chetwynd on Monday and grew “rapidly upon ignition” to cover 40 hectares by the evening, the B.C. Wildfire Service said in update overnight.
By Tuesday afternoon, the fire was five times larger, reaching a reported 200 hectares, according to the agency.
Four helicopters were battling the blaze from the sky, along with air tankers dropping water and fire retardant.
Ground crews and heavy equipment were also on site, with additional support requested as crews worked to create access routes to the fire and to secure a water source to fight the flames.
In an update Tuesday, the wildfire service said containment lines had been established along the fire’s northern and southern flanks, and that crews were working to extend those lines around the fire perimeter.
“Helicopters will support ground resources by dropping water to reduce fire behaviour and limit spread, which will allow crews and heavy equipment to work closer to the perimeter,” the agency said.
“Small-scale hand ignitions will be used to burn out pockets of unburned fuel between established containment lines and the fire perimeter.”
Warm, dry forecast
Cooler overnight temperatures helped firefighters keep the blaze within its 40-hectare footprint, but warm and windy conditions are expected to return.
“The warm and dry conditions are likely to increase fire behaviour through the day, with the potential for further spread if strong gusty winds materialize,” the update said.
The Windy Creek wildfire is believed to have been caused by human activity.
The wildfire service says the blaze is “highly visible” from Chetwynd and the community of Hudson’s Hope in the Peace River region.
There were 22 active wildfires burning in B.C. on Tuesday afternoon, including four sparked within the last day, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service.
Four of those active fires are considered out of control, six are being held and 12 are under control.
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