B.C. blazes swell in size with windy, dry weather

Two massive wildfires burning in northeastern B.C., including a large blaze that has crossed into Alberta, grew overnight Friday, as gusts of wind hampered firefighting efforts.

Fire information officer Noelle Kekula said Saturday that the Siphon Creek fire, burning several kilometres into Alberta, grew to an estimated 24,000 hectares late Friday, up from 17,000 hectares earlier in the day.

“It definitely grew overnight,” she said. “We won’t have an updated estimate until tonight … we know it has grown on both sides.”

Kekula said the weather continued Saturday to be hot, dry and windy, with no sign of rain until Sunday.

She said no structures have been lost in the blaze, which broke out April 18 about 60 kilometres northeast of Fort St. John. The area remains under an evacuation alert and order. Residents of 11 homes in B.C. have been told they must leave, while the residents of 88 homes are under evacuation alert.

Forests Minister Steve Thomson said Friday that 77 B.C. firefighters, nine helicopters and heavy equipment are fighting flames on both sides of the boundary in an effort to help their Alberta counterparts, who are busy dealing with the devastating fire in Fort McMurray.

Meanwhile, another raging wildfire northwest of Fort St. John also spread overnight. The latest estimate is the fire is about 12,000 hectares.

Residents of 1,726 homes have been placed on evacuation alert, while residents of 216 homes have been ordered to leave because of the Beatton Airport Road fire.

Fire information officer Kevin Skrepnek said there are 81 fires burning across the province.