Little Bobtail Lake Fire triggers evacuation southwest of Prince George
Evacuation orders affect Little Bobtail Lake, Naltesby Lake (Bobtail Lake) and Norman Lake
The Little Bobtail Lake fire has grown bigger, burning nearly 2,700 hectares by Monday afternoon. The wildfire — roughly 70 kilometres southwest of Prince George, B.C. — has forced 80 people to evacuate.
Yvonne Roy said she spotted the fire on Friday, and got in her car with her boyfriend for drive to where they had cellphone coverage to report it.
"We noticed some black smoke. And as it got a bit darker, we could actually see it up in the air — the flames up in the air — and it was spreading really fast," said Roy. "I said to my boyfriend, 'We need to report this because it's so dry, it will spread fast."
Smoke from the fire could be seen from Highway 16.
Two helicopters and 26 firefighters were battling the fire, but it was zero per cent contained on Sunday evening, according to the B.C. Wildfire Management Branch.
It has been classified as an interface fire, meaning it has the potential to engulf buildings. About 192 properties, including many recreational cabins, are affected by the evacuation orders.
Evacuation orders and alerts issued
Bill Miller, the chair of Regional District of Bulkley Nechako, said the fire is quite aggressive.
"This time of year, it's dry out there. And things are looking, well, not good at this point anyways."
Evacuation orders were issued for properties near Little Bobtail Lake and Naltesby Lake (Bobtail Lake) by the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, and for Norman Lake by the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George.
An evacuation alert was also issued for other nearby areas on Monday morning, meaning residents should be prepared to leave at a moments notice if the fire spreads.
Google Maps: Little Bobtail Lake fire