Eskal fire area closure extended

The Eskal fire was sparked by lightning on August 8, and has grown to 5,800 hectares in size. It is currently being monitored but not actively suppressed. Fire Information Officer Kevin Skrepnek says there has been little growth recently, and extending the restriction is simply for safety reasons.

"Fire activity is pretty minimal," he says. "It's just that we had to extend the closure as a precaution. We haven't been seeing much growth on it for quite some time."

For the time being, public access to the approximately 49,000 hectare area is limited, from Kilometre 17 on the Eskal Road east to the Fort Nelson River, down the Fort Nelson River to the mouth of the Sikanni Chief River, and west of the Fort Nelson River. Industry personnel have limited access, requiring authorization from officials.

The closure will be in effect until the end of the month, or until the order is lifted.