Quiet winds and cool temperatures mean the 24,000 hectare Little Bobtail Lake fire is 15 per cent contained as of Monday morning.
The BC Wildlife Management Branch said the high relative humidity also helped firefighting efforts, which has 270 firefighters, 13 helicopters, 22 pieces of heavy equipment and eight airtankers on the job.
Prince George RCMP have launched an investigation into the Little Bobtail Lake fire, which they believe to be human caused.
In a press release Sunday, RCMP announced called on the public's help for information. RCMP have found the origin of the wildfire and is investigating with the assistance of Origin & Cause Investigators from the Wildfire Management Branch of the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands & Natural Resource Operations.
Saturday's strong wind gusts of up to 35 kilometres grew the fire from 17,000 hectares to 20,000 hectares, meaning crews loss some of their work which had kept the blaze 20 per cent contained.
The hope is that the cooler weather pattern will continue, the Wildlife Branch said, with a chance of precipitation forecast starting Monday through Thursday. While chances of rain increase with every day, the branch noted it would take quite a bit of moisture to counteract the dry forests.
The fire, the province's largest active fire increased along the northwest and southwest corners Sunday towards Grizzly Lake and southeast towards Bobtail Mountain. It is moving away from the Cluculz Lake and Highway 16 area. Aircraft are supporting ground crews to gain control of the most recent activity.
Aircrafts have supported ground crews each day to cool spot fires, reinforce dozer lines and support safety routes for crews.
More than 300 people are working on the fire and so far there have have been no loss of homes or structures.
According to Emergency InfoBC, an evacuation order is in effect, affecting 80 people, an evacuation alert is in place for areas around Bednesti Lake, Berman Lake and Dahl Lake Road.
The agency asks residents prepare themselves and their property by:
- Gathering important papers and moving valuables to alternate locations;
- Making arrangements for pets to be moved to a safe location;
- Making arrangements for livestock for a safe alternative location in case an evacuation order is issued;
- Preparing a 72-hour emergency kit; remember to include any necessary medication.
For more information, visit www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca.
To report smoke, flames or an unattended open fire, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or dial *5555 on a cellphone.
For up-to-date information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, visit: www.bcwildfire.ca or call 1 888 3-FOREST.
Anyone with information about the Bobtail Lake fire is asked to contact the Prince George RCMP at (250)561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1(800)222-8477, online at www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca (English only), or Text-A-Tip to CRIMES (274637) using keyword "pgtips".
