The Northwest Fire Centre says it is responding to a number of wildfires in the Bulkley Fire Zone, including the 850 hectare Torkelsen Lake fire 25 kilometres south of Fort Babine.
There are 17 firefighters on site assisted by helicopters and heavy equipment. The Nilkitkwa Forest Service Road is currently open to traffic, but the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako has issued an evacuation order related to the blaze.
The highly visible Mill Lake Fire is burning about 12 kilometres north of Kitwanga near Mill Lake and has burned two hectares in high terrain. The wildfire service says one helicopter has been assigned to monitor the fire. It says more firefighting resources will be deployed once they become available, but the flames are not currently threatening any communities.
The Pope Forest Service Road Wildfire has burned about 140 hectares near Murder Creek in the Kispiox Valley, about 37 kilometres northwest of Hazelton. Crews have surrounded the fire with a guard line and the fire is burning towards that line supported by heavy equipment and air support.
Two wildfires, the Gail Creek FSR fire and the West Babine River fire, are burning on opposite sides of Babine River Corridor Provincial Park. The Gail Creek blaze, which has burned 100 hectares and is not threatening any values, is being monitored.
The West Babine River fire has burned over 1000 hectares. Crews have conducted a structural protection assessment for the Silver Hilton Lodge.
The 140 hectare Nichyeskwa Creek Fire is about 80 kilometres northeast of Smithers and about 25 kilometres northwest of Fort Babine.
Ground crews, with the assistance of a helicopter and heavy equipment, are working to stop the fire spreading east towards the 457 Forest Service Road. An area restriction order is in place for this wildfire and an evacuation alert has been recommended for the Babine Steelhead Lodge.
The Witset area wildfire, which began August 4th, is now out.
Information about current evacuation orders and alerts can be found at the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako website.
