Peta Mountain fire is largest in Prince George Fire Centre  photo courtesy BC Wildfire Mgmt Branch

Prince George, BC – Air tankers were called in yesterday afternoon to once again actively suppress a forest fire burning southeast of Prince George…

It’s believed lightning sparked the wildfire burning east of Stony Lake, approximately 50-kilometres due east of Hixon, one week ago, but fire suppression activities were suspended on Thursday due to the dangerous terrain and the fact the blaze was not threatening valuable timber.

"A reconnaissance flight spotted a small spread in the fire down into the timber values and air tankers worked to protect those and there’ll be a small contingent of crews going in on that," says Prince Geore Fire Centre Information Officer, Dustin Eno.  "There is still absolutely no threat to the recreation site in the area and, due to the prevailing winds, the rec site shouldn’t even see much smoke, so people are still urged to go camping in the area."

While there are about 10 active fires burning in the region, Eno says most have remained small and aren’t causing too much difficulty at this time.  The largest remains the Peta Mountain fire burning west of Vanderhoof and north of Fraser Lake.  It is currently estimated at 250-hectares in size.  There are currently 68 firefighters, 17 pieces of heavy equipment and three helicopters battling that blaze.

"We have established a guard around about 95-percent of the perimeter," says Eno.  "Now, that guard isn’t reinforced and so the fire is considered only about zero to five-percent contained, but the guards do appear to be holding at this point, so we’re optimistic about it."

There is currently an open burning ban in place in the region, but no ban on campfires as long as they are smaller than one-half metre high, by one-half metre wide.  But people are being urged to report any wildfires they spot by calling *5555 on a cellphone, or 1-800-663-5555.  "These public calls do make a big difference," says the fire information officer.  "For us being able to get out there and respond to the fires quickly before they get very big."