Planned ignition wildfire near Tumbler Ridge Wednesday

TUMBLER RIDGE, B.C. – BC Wildfire Service says a planned ignition is scheduled for the Tentfire Creek wildfire Wednesday.

“This strategy slows down and helps limit the spread of the wildfire by decreasing the amount of fire perimeter that must be managed by BCWS,’ said a BCWS statement Monday.

Three firefighters, two helicopters and three pieces of heavy equipment were on site Monday monitoring the 715-hectare fire, which is classified as out of control.

The District of Tumbler Ridge says the fire has seen minimal growth over the last 24 hours and is still located approximately 22 kilometres away from the townsite.

BC Wildfire crews and equipment set up a contingency guard over the weekend.

“Crews and equipment are continuing to work to establish a fire guard on the west flank and one on the east flank of the fire. Fire guards are connecting to Murray FSR to utilize existing road infrastructure where possible.”

The fire near Hook Creek remains around 180 hectares in size, and Monkman Provincial Park, including Kinuseo Falls and the Kinuseo Falls Campground, remains closed.

The BCWS is responding to 41 fires within the Prince George Fire Centre (PGFC). Lighting is the suspected cause of 36 fires, two are suspected human-caused, and three are undetermined.

An Evacuation Alert for Electoral Area ‘B’ was rescinded Monday morning.

Residents in the following areas were under alert since June 30th:

As of July 5th, local officials determined the situation is safe.

The Buckinghorse River fire is being held, and the BC Wildfire Dashboard estimates the fire area to cover about 6,000 hectares.