HIGHWAY 37 North near the Yukon border remains closed this morning after a forest fire grew in size and temperament yesterday afternoon.
The Tisigar Lake fire, previously known as the Blue River fire, grew quickly to approximately 900 hectares, crossing the highway 25 kilometres north of Good Hope Lake.
“Gusting winds in the area pushed the fire in a northeast direction and this aggressive fire moved at a speed of three kilometres per hour,” reports fire information officer Lindsay Carnes.
The fire was one of two in the area south of the Yukon border fire officials had been keeping an eye on.
More than 20 firefighters were dispatched to the area over the last few days.
Carnes said helicopters and airtankers worked to slow the spread of the blaze yesterday.
“Because of the aggressive fire behaviour, it was not possible to have fire fighters on the ground working the fire. Currently firefighters are working on setting up structure protection on a ranch in the area’s outbuildings,” she said.
Firefighters are anticipating high winds today, presenting a challenge in the efforts to control the fire.
But Carnes said cooler weather and less wind is expected tomorrow and into the weekend.
The Tisigar Lake fire is south of a large blaze hich closed Hwy 37 North for the better part of a week the end of July last year.