A wildfire that broke out south of Prince George, B.C. over the weekend and forced 80 people to evacuate their homes remains completely uncontained.
Firefighters have been battling the blaze since it was discovered Saturday near Norman Lake, but officials said hot, dry and windy conditions have hindered their efforts.
The blaze has since spread to more than 25 square kilometres, sending smoke into the air that has been seen from as far away as Williams Lake.
The B.C. Wildfire Management Branch said more than 125 firefighting staff have been dispatched to the fire. Air tankers were also called in to help ground crews over the weekend, and four helicopters were put to work bucketing the blaze on Monday.
Despite their efforts, the fire remains completely uncontained and unguarded.
With the wildfire threatening dozens of nearby homes, evacuation orders have been issued for areas near Bobtail Lake and Naltesby Lake. Many other homes have been placed under an evacuation alert, meaning occupants must be prepared to leave on short notice.
The cause of the fire hasn’t been confirmed, but officials said because there hasn’t been any lightning in the area, it was likely sparked by human activity.
For the latest information on evacuation orders and alerts, visit the Emergency Info website.
With files from The Canadian Press
