Northwest Fire Situation Heats Up

Lightning has sparked at least 29 new fires since Monday in the Northwest Fire Region -- and numerous burning bans are now in place.   Four fires are burning west of Moricetown, and are visible in the community, though no homes are being threatened at this point.  Airtankers were busy there yesterday.   Also a one-hectare blaze near Decker Lake is in the mop-up stage.

In the far northwest, Highway 37 remains closed near the Yukon border, while crews attack a 700-hectare fire north of Blue River. 

Campfires and open burning are banned in areas under provincial control in the former Kalum Forest District, and in the Bulkley and Nadina zones.  The City of Terrace and Town of Smithers have their own campfire bans, although Terrace is still allowing small campfires at its Ferry Island municipal campground, and plans to go ahead with tomorrow night's Riverboat Days Fireworks show. 

Small campfires are still permitted on the North Coast and Haida Gwaii, but all other open burning is banned in those areas.

~~ John Crawford