UPDATE: Forest fire starts near Chetwynd

UPDATE – The story has been updated to include an evacuation alert that has been issued for the area and new information about the size of the fire.

CHETWYND, B.C. – The B.C. Wildfire Service is responding to a wildfire that started Sunday afternoon southeast of Chetwynd.

The fire was reported to the fire service just after 4 p.m. Sunday, and as of 8 p.m., it was already 70 hectares. By Monday evening, the fire had burned over 700 hectares.

The Peace River Regional District issued an evacuation alert for an area near the fire. The alert includes properties near Highway 97 (West of Chetwynd Pulp Mill Rd and East of Guillet Sub) and certain properties on Rimsmith Rd. For details click here.

The Wildfire Service believes the fire was naturally caused and has initiated a full response. During a full response, a wildfire is suppressed and controlled until it is deemed “out.” There are nine type one firefighters being assisted by three helicopters on scene.

The fire is approximately 10 km from Chetwynd.

As of Monday, no evacuation alerts or orders have been issued due to this fire.

For updates on the fire, watch this website or visit www.bcwildfire.ca