(UPDATE) Pocket Knife Creek wildfire grows past 4,000 hectares, BCWS increases response

Update June 5th 3:00 p.m.: The article below is out of date: the fire has now grown to more than 7,000 hectares, and an evacuation alert has been issued. To read our latest coverage, click here.

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Pocket Knife Creek wildfire has grown further, leading to an elevated response from the BC Wildfire Service

The blaze – located north of Fort St. John and a few kilometres west of Highway 97 – is currently 4,374 hectares in size, up from 3,200 hectares on Saturday, May 31st.

According to the latest update from BCWS, a recent cold front in the area led to a sharp increase in the blaze’s size.

Firefighters also say weather conditions on June 1st could lead to increased growth.

“An upper trough in northwesterly flow aloft will bring about an increased risk of scattered thunderstorms across northeastern B.C. this afternoon,” the update reads, “with the primary concerns being dry lightning and hail; western zones should remain largely unaffected.”

Overnight, the winds are expected to cause an ‘increased pressure gradient’ across the northeast, resulting in more wind overall and what BCWS calls “poor recoveries.”

BCWS crews are in the process of responding to the fire, alongside helicopter crews, heavy equipment operators and structure protection units.

An area restriction is currently in effect as a result of the fire, but no evacuation alerts or orders are currently in effect.

Energeticcity.ca will update this story with new information as it becomes available.