Prince George, BC – Lightning has sparked more than a dozen new wildfires in the Prince George Fire Zone since Wednesday, and is responsible for 19 of 20 new starts in the Northwest Fire Zone.

The Prince George Fire Centre says there have been 15 new lightning-caused forest fires, ranging from spot-size to approximately 300-hectares.

The largest is a blaze burning near Estsine Lake, 275-kilometres northeast of Fort Nelson.  The fire centre says it covers approximately 300-hectares, but there are no values or structures at-risk, so it’s currently in ‘modified response’ – meaning it’s being actively monitored, but not suppressed.

The Northwest Fire Centre says all of its new starts have remained small, thanks to cooperative weather and quick action by fire crews.  Three small spot fires southeast of Smithers, near the Telkwa High Road, were actioned by airtankers and crews are on the ground working to contain the blazes.

The Centre has re-positioned an airtanker to Smithers and brought in two additional firefighting crews and a helicopter from Salmon Arm in anticipation of an increase in fire starts.  Today, patrol planes are going out to monitor for new lightning-started fires not yet reported.  The centre is thanking the public for their continued vigilance and calls to report smoke and fires.  To report a wildfire, you can call *5555 on your cell phone or 1-800-663-5555 toll-free.

Heading into the weekend, the Wildfire Management Branch is once again reminding area residents that Category 2 and 3 burning and fireworks use are currently prohibited throughout both regions.  For more information, go to www.bcwildfires.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp