(UPDATE) 2,125-hectare wildfire causes Alaska Highway closure west of Fort Nelson

Updated, June 2nd, 5:40 p.m.: An evacuation alert has now been issued because of this fire. To read an up-to-date story, click here.

FORT NELSON, B.C. — A wildfire has led to part of the Alaska Highway west of Fort Nelson closing to traffic.

The fire, located 10 kilometres northeast of Summit Lake, sits at 2,125 hectares in size, according to the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS).

The suspected cause of the blaze, which was discovered May 28th, is a lightning strike. BCWS says helicopter crews have been assigned in an effort to keep the fire manageable.

DriveBC is also reporting a stretch of Highway 97 has been closed.

The closure runs from the Highway 77 junction to the Toad River, according to DriveBC, and no detour is available. 

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