Several wildfires balloon within Fort Nelson fire zone

Update, June 10th, 10 p.m.: The article below has been updated to include additional information regarding another Fort Nelson wildfire that has grown.

FORT NELSON, B.C. — Wildfires in the Fort Nelson zone continue to grow amid warm, dry weather in the Prince George Fire Centre (PGFC).

According to the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), inside the fire zone, one blaze – located 10 kilometres east of the Peggo airstrip – has grown significantly.

That blaze has now burned 2,973 hectares, up from 1,411. 

Like many others in the area, the Peggo airstrip fire is an overwintering fire from a previous year that smouldered underground through the winter before reigniting.

It was rediscovered on June 2nd and is currently listed as ‘out of control.’

Beyond the Peggo airstrip blaze, the following fires have also been identified:

• A 1,095-hectare fire located near the Liard River is currently burning out of control. Like the Peggo airstrip blaze, this is an overwintering wildfire that was first rediscovered on June 1st.
• Another overwintering fire located near the Shekilie River has burned 39,187 hectares so far. Nearby, a smaller fire north of the same river has burned 1,894 hectares. The larger fire was first found to have reignited on May 25th, while the smaller blaze is new as of this fire season and was discovered on June 2nd.
• A 6,940-hectare wildfire has been identified in the Terminus Mountain area, discovered on May 28th. The cause of this fire remains under investigation.
• A 68.5-hectare wildfire was discovered near the Kataleen Creek on May 27th.
• The Etcho Creek Wildfire has grown to 190,598 hectares, up from 156,294 hectares.

No evacuation alerts or orders have been issued as a result of any of the fires listed above.