Prince George, B.C. – The Plateau fire, burning north of highway 20, is estimated to be  more than half a million hectares in size.

The Plateau fire is the largest fire in  recorded B.C. history and  is estimated to  be 517,140 hectares or just over 5,170 square kilometers.  That is nearly the size of Prince Edward Island, which is 5,660 square Kilometers..

The growth of the fire is due to strong westerly winds, combined with continued dry conditions.

The Elephant Hill fire has also been fanned by strong wind.  it is now estimated to be 186,800 hectares.  Although 50% contained,  efforts  on this fire have been to prepare for  strong wind gusts today.  The fire remains active on the east perimeter, and across the entire north flank, including in the Young Lake area, to the east of Watch Lake and Little Green Lake towards Sheridan Lake, and to the south of Green Lake in the Jim Mountain area. As of this morning, the  fire’s perimeter was  about  2 km from Sheridan Lake , in the area of Number Two Lake.

In anticipation of aggressive behaviour of the Elephant Hill Fire,  evacuation orders were put in place last evening  along the highway 24  corridor.

The other major fire in the central interior is the Hanceville-Riske Creek blaze, burning south of Highway 20.   That blaze  is estimated to be 238,451 hectares in size,  and is 40% contained.