Prince George, B.C.- Firefighters have lost some of the ground gained in their battle  against the  Little Bobtail Lake fire.

Early yesterday, the fire was 20% contained, but  weather conditions yesterday whipped up the flames,  and  that containment  has slipped back to 15%. It is estimated the fire has consumed some 24 thousand hectares.

There are more than 300 personnel  working on this fire, including :

270 firefighters
13 helicopters
22 pieces of heavy equipment  and
8 airtankers

Within 500 metres of the southwestern shore of Norman Lake ,  the fire has forced 80 people to evacuate the area, and evacuation alerts remain in effect for  many others.  At this point,  no structures have been lost to the  fire.

On Saturday, growth was experienced along the northwest, southwest, and southeast flanks. Aircraft are supporting ground crews in trying to gain control of this most recent activity. The fire is moving away from the Cluculz Lake and HWY 16 area.

Forecasts indicate that temperatures are expected to be in high teens to low twenties.

A fire camp is now established and fully operational.

As for the cause of the fire,  the point where the blaze started has been established,  and the RCMP are now looking for information that would assist them in  their investigation. ( see previous story)