Siphon Creek wildfire continues to grow in BC and Alberta. Photo courtesy BC Wildfire Service

Prince George, B.C. – The BC Wildfire Service reports 55 wildfires burning throughout the Prince George Fire Centre, 49 of them in the Peace Region.

The Siphon Creek fire, burning 4km south of the Doig River First Nations community northeast of Fort St John, continues to grow on both sides of the BC/Alberta border and now covers 41,400 hectares, up from 24,000 late Friday night.  The interface fire covers 29,625 hectares in B.C. and 11,775 in Alberta.

The perimeter of the fire has grown due to wind gusts over the past two days.  The firefighting effort remains in the hands of crews with and contracted by the B.C. Wildfire Service as Alberta firefighters are completely dedicated to battling the raging Fort McMurray fire, which now covers more than 200,000 hectares and has crossed the  Saskatchewan border.

There are 81 firefighters, 12 helicopters and 12 pieces of heavy equipment fighting the Siphon Creek fire.  The Peace River Regional District has expanded its Evacuation Alert and has included some areas in an Evacuation Order.  Details can be found at their website at www.prrd.bc.ca

Meanwhile, the Beatton Airport Road fire burning 45kms northwest of Fort St John  remains at an estimated 12,000 hectares.  An Evacuation Alert and Evacuation Order remain in effect for that fire as well.  There are 129 firefighters, 10 helicopters and 16 pieces of heavy equipment fighting the Beatton fire.  Additional resources are being allocated to that effort.  The wildfire is adjacent to the Alaska Highway and smoke from the fire is affecting visibility in some areas.

The Prince George Fire Centre has had nearly three times the number of fires normally seen at this time of year with over seven times the amount of hectares burned.  The majority of the fires have been caused by people conducting open burning.  As well, ten fires are under investigation for possible arson.

The Wildfire Service also reports that on Friday there were two incidents of people flying   unauthorized “drones” near wildfires.  That not only puts the lives of aircrews in danger but also delays firefighting efforts because officials have no choice but to ground nearby aircraft until the drone has been removed from the fly space.

Transport Canada and the BC Wildfire Service explicitly prohibit the use of drones of any size near a wildfire. Violators will be prosecuted.  Many drones also require a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) for commercial use. For more information, check here: http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/standards/general-recavi-uav-2265.htm?WT.mc_id=1zfhj#safety