UPDATE 2:17 PM
DriveBC has confirmed the section of Highway 97 that was closed due to fire activity is now fully reopen.
OPEN – #BCHwy97 – The highway is FULLY OPEN from being closed due to wildfire activity in the #MtLemoray area south of #Chetwynd. Watch for Fire crews on the highway and drive with care. #CityofPG #PinePass #BCWildfire
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) August 14, 2021
9:59 AM
The Pine River wildfire near Mount Lemoray between Mackenzie and Chetwynd continues to rage on, and is said to be burning extremely vigorously.
This morning (Saturday), Drive BC confirmed the section of Highway 97 between Powder King Road and Old Hasler Road is still closed, and there is no expected time for reopening and no detour option available.
32 kilometres north of Pine Pass Summit to 44 kilometres south of Chetwynd remains closed as traffic is being turned around at both ends of the closure.
According to the BC Wildfire Service, structures have been lost as a result of the blaze, and other structures are immediately threatened.
The fire is now estimated to be over 2,000 hectares in size as crews will continue with structure protection efforts along Highway 97 to protect wooden power poles.
The BC Wildfire Service Dashboard says the cause of the blaze is still under investigation.
Additionally, it has impacted a major BC Hydro transmission line.
As of last night, the fire was said to be about 150 hectares in size, with 10 firefighters and 3 helicopters working to get it under control.
The low visibility in the area has impacted BCWS’s ability to fight the blaze as the air tankers sent out to the blaze were unable to take action.
It has joined the list of Wildfires of Note in the Prince George Fire Centre, as crews remained in the area overnight to monitor the fire.
The other wildfires of note in the PGCF are Cutoff Creek, Tentfire Creek and Grizzly Lake.
There are 271 active wildfires in BC while 65 are located in the PGFC and five can be found in the Northwest Fire Centre.
Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
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