The Siphon Creek fire – photo courtesy BC Wildfire Service

Prince George, B.C. – The BC Conservation Officer Service is asking the public’s for help in identifying a number of suspected arson related wildfires in the Peace.

“BC Wildfire Service investigators and Natural Resource Officers have found evidence to suggest at least 10 separate wildfires, in three distinct areas, have been set,” reads a news release from B.C.’s Ministry of Environment.

“Extra conservation officers have been brought in to help with the investigation into the fires, which are believed to be connected. Some property damage has occurred, but there have been no reports of injuries so far, although some fires continue to burn.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line at 1-877-952-7277.

In the meantime fire crews continue to make progress in the area with the number of fires of note dropping from seven over the weekend to four today.

“We had some precipitation and snow reported up in Fort St. John on Saturday and early into Sunday morning which allowed the crews to work on those fires and work on getting guards around them,” says Amanda Reynolds with the Prince George Fire Centre.

“We were able to recommend to the Peace River Regional District to lift the evacuation orders on the Beatton Airport Road and Siphon Creek fires.”

(Both fires are now under evacuation alerts).

She says the Beatton Airport Road fire is now estimated at 15,000 hectares and has over 100 firefighters and the support of seven helicopters and 16 pieces of heavy equipment.

Reynolds says the Siphon Creek fire is now estimated at 41,470 hectares on the B.C. side of the border (17,160 hectares on the Alberta side) and notes they are working collaboratively with Alberta firefighters at this time.

She says 119 firefighters, eight helicopters and 19 pieces of heavy equipment have been deployed to fight that blaze.