Windy and dry weather conditions caused a massive wildfire southeast of Tumbler Ridge to more than double overnight, as an evacuation order remains in effect for about 200 workers in two oil-and-gas camps.
By Wednesday morning, wildfire officials said the fire had grown to about 2,000 hectares from 650 hectares on Tuesday afternoon, and they executed it to spread.
Jillian Kelsh of B.C.鈥檚 Wildfire Management Branch said the fire is burning southeast of Tumbler Ridge and 27 kilometres from the Alberta boundary, but it isn鈥檛 expected to reach any communities.
She said windy, hot and dry conditions are hampering efforts to get ground crews in to battle the western front of the blaze. She said it is still spreading and they expect it will grow much larger in size.
Firefighters are using the four new Fire Boss skimmer aircraft, which gather water from local lakes to douse the blaze. B.C. acquired the new fleet of skimmers in the spring to help fight the dozens of large wildfires that burn up many of B.C.鈥檚 forests in the summer.
Fire officials say the Fire Boss can load up to 3,025 litres of water in 12 to 15 seconds, and be back on its way to the fire line in less than 30 seconds.
Kelsh confirmed Wednesday that all 200 workers have left the camps and that there are no other residents under threat.
The evacuation order was given early Tuesday afternoon by the Peace River Regional District and applies to the oil-and-gas field areas of Ojay, Grizzly South and Red Deer Creek.
She said one of their top priorities right now is making sure that the fire doesn鈥檛 cross over to the Alberta side.
The fire was first reported Sunday and is being blamed on a lightening strike. The regional district鈥檚 evacuation order was issued because of what it called an 鈥渋mmediate danger to life safety,鈥� and it directs people to leave the area with their personal belongings immediately and to close and latch gates.
Kelsh said 70 firefighters, five helicopters and the four skimmers are battling the blaze.
A separate news release issued by the District of Tumbler Ridge said some of the workers are from a camp on Ojay Road. It said the wildfire is growing fast and could cover 4,000 hectares by the end of Wednesday.
The Wildfire Management Branch is also working with the local school district to set up a command post at a high school.
