According to the province’s Wildlife Management Branch, the Little Bobtail Lake wildfire is 100 per cent contained, but smoke will remain visible from this fire for the remainder of the summer.
Starting this week, crews will no longer remain on scene daily but will return to the fire if the fire flares up close to the perimeter. The Wildfire Management Branch said they will continue to actively monitor the fire each day.
The Little Bobtail Lake wildfire, located southwest of Prince George, was first reported on May 8, 2015. Since that time, the fire spread to more than 25,500 hectares (255 square kilometres) and resulted in the evacuation of residences at Norman Lake and Naltesby Lake (also known as Bobtail Lake). Further, residents on Bednesti and Cluculz lakes were on evacuation alerts. The evacuation alerts were lifted at 3 p.m. May 30, 2015, by the regional districts of Bulkley Nechako and Fraser-Fort George.
For the safety of the public and fire personnel, the Wildfire Management Branch is recommending that recreationalists continue to avoid travelling in and around the fire area. The public is also reminded to use extreme caution when travelling in the backcountry.
“With the aggressive fire behavior previously observed on this fire, this has resulted in deep burning conditions,” warns the Wildlife Management Branch. “These conditions have weakened root systems of trees within the wildfire area.”
Although the fire danger rating is low within the vicinity of the Little Bobtail Lake wildfire, the fire danger rating for most of the Prince George fire centre is high, with areas of extreme in the northeast corner. With the high danger rating, forest fuels are very dry and the fire risk is serious, which means that new fires may start easily, burn vigorously, and challenge fire suppression efforts. To report smoke, flames or an unattended open fire, call 1-8000-663-555.
Little Bobtail Lake fire is believed to be human caused. Police are looking for the public’s help to further the investigation
The origin of the Little Bobtail Lake wildfire has been located, and at this time is believed to be human caused, according to the RCMP.
The RCMP and the Wildfire Management Branch are conducting a joint investigation into the cause of this fire.
“At this point in time there is nothing more to report,” said Cpl. Craig Douglass with the Prince George RCMP. “The investigation is continuing and is expected to take some time.”
Investigators are looking for the public’s help to further this investigation. If you have any information about this fire, please contact the Prince George RCMP at 250-561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.