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, there is now a second fire in the region showing significant growth.
Fire Information Officer Jody Lucius say a blaze they’re calling the South Stikine fire has grown larger over the last day or so.
The Alkali Lake Fire has also grown to 6000 hectares, but wildfire officials caution that fire behaviour and heavy smoke make mapping the fire 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. Crews with heavy equipment hoping to get to the fire were turned back earlier Monday because of the extreme fire activity, but Lucius says helicopters have been working hard to protect Telegraph Creek.
The BC Wildfire Service is hoping to get heavy equipment back on the fire Monday night to help tie off a guard around the blaze and further protect the community.
