The BC Wildfire Service says the Stikine Complex of nine wildfires located in northwest B.C. continues to rage.
Officials say the Alkali Lake Fire near Telegraph has shown aggressive fire behaviour and has surged in size to 7800 hectares up from 4000 hectares Monday morning.
Many areas of the fire were unsafe for ground crews and heavy equipment operators to access Monday, which hampered efforts to attack the blaze.
Airtankers and helicopters focussed water and retardant drops on the south flank of the fire near Telegraph Creek. While Monday’s growth was mainly to the northeast, there was activity in all areas of the fire.
The South Stikine River fire is now approximately 6,000 hectares and is also burning aggressively with visible surface flame and crowning trees, as seen in a video released by the BC Wildfire Service.
https://www.facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo/videos/10156335956990673/
The fire crossed the Stikine River Monday. Crews concentrated their efforts on securing the main transportation corridor, including two wooden bridges on Highway 51, to ensure firefighters can safely travel to and from these wildfires.
An evacuation order remains in effect in the area and Highway 51 is closed.
