Forecast is good for fighting out-of-control fire near Kitimat, B.C. Wildfire Service says
Bish Creek fire burning about 10 kilometres southwest of community, not threatening any structures
A wildfire near Kitimat in northwest British Columbia is burning out of control, but firefighters have made significant progress in establishing a perimeter, officials say.
B.C. Wildfire Service fire information officer Cathy L'Orsa says a number of conditions, including temperature, humidity and wind, turned in favour of firefighters on Tuesday and wetter weather is expected on Wednesday.
She says the Bish Creek fire, reported Sunday, is burning about 10 kilometres southwest of Kitimat and is not threatening any structures.
Two helicopters are supporting a crew of 38 firefighters and the fire service says suppression efforts will continue for at least the rest of the week.
UPDATE: Due to more accurate mapping & overnight spread, the Bish Creek wildfire, located ~10 kms SW of Kitimat, has grown to 40 has. 38 firefighters & 2 helicopters w/ buckets are on-site. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BCWildfire?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BCWildfire</a> is asking the public to avoid the area to ensure personnel & public safety. <a href="https://t.co/0zFW4tsVyB">pic.twitter.com/0zFW4tsVyB</a>
—@BCGovFireInfo'It's not going to escape us'
L'Orsa says there was a "little bit of overnight spreading" on Monday but the apparent growth in the fire from 0.15 to 0.4 square kilometres was mainly due to more accurate mapping.
She says erratic winds and large amounts of smoke initially prevented the fire service from getting a clear picture of the size of the fire.
The fire service has indicated the suspected cause of the fire is human activity, and the fire danger rating in the area is moderate.
"We feel confident that it's not going to escape us, but until we have a solid perimeter around the entire we're not quite ready to classify it as under control or being held," said L'Orsa.