Little Bobtail Lake fire rages on – photo courtesy Wildfire Management Branch

Prince George, B.C. – The Little Bobtail Lake fire, 50 km southwest of Prince George and within 500 metres of Norman Lake, has grown slightly to 25,000 hectares.

The Wildfire Management Branch says it was spurred on by wind gusts of up to 40km/h and lightning and thunder activity yesterday.

Precipitation was also reported, mainly “in the middle region of the fire perimeter,” though “it isn’t clear whether the northern or southern portions received any of that precipitation.”

And “though we are seeing a downward trend in weather conditions,” they warn “there is the potential that a warm and drying trend will continue past the next couple days.”

270 firefighters are currently battling the blaze, including 13 helicopters, 30 pieces of heavy equipment, and eight airtankers.

And though no structures have been lost, 80 in the area have been evacuated from their homes.

Investigators believe the fire was human caused (see previous story here). The fire remains just 15% contained.