Airtankers were called in Monday to combat a growing wildfire that broke out north of Fraser Lake over the long weekend.
The blaze at Peta Mountain, about 20 kilometres north of the lake's north shore, stood at about 350 square hectares and its smoke could be seen from Fort St. James, wildfire management branch spokesman Dustin Eno said Tuesday.
The airtankers were deployed to establish retardant lines around the blaze and heavy equipment and crews supported by helicopters were transported to the scene.
It was the largest of 37 new fires in the Prince George fire centre responded to over the long weekend as lightning strikes swept through the region.
A fire in the Stony Lake area, about 80 kilometres southeast of Prince George, drew a response after it was first reported over Saturday night.
Airtankers and helicopters worked on the fire Sunday, and two 20-person crews were on site Monday. One 20-person crew supported by a helicopter was on the site Tuesday and the fire is now estimated at about 30 hectares in size.
As of Tuesday morning, there were 21 active fires in the Prince George fire centre, 20 of them in the southern and western areas, and most of them remained small, Eno said.
Eno commended the public for alerting the wildfire management branch to fires over the long weekend, allowing crews to respond quickly. To report a wildfire, or unattended campfire, call *5555 on your cellular phone or toll-free at 1-800 663-5555.
