FORT ST. JOHN -- While the Donnie Creek wildfire has grown to a size larger than the entire lower mainland, B.C. Wildfire says it will continue to grow beyond its perimeter.
The wildfire is still burning out of control at 310,805 hectares, growing another 45,000 hectares overnight.
Julia Caranci, the information officer for B.C. Wildfire, notes that fire demonstrated extreme fire behaviour yesterday.
The Holman Creek fire that is a part of the Donnie Creek Complex has expanded to 3,482 hectares. Strong southwest winds will push the fire toward Donnie Creek. The fire is expected to join as soon as today.
More fuels will be drawn with temperatures reaching 30° C this weekend.
According to the wildfire service, the combination of the two will lead to the wildfire growing beyond its perimeter.
“some good news for us is that the winds have died down considerably and we won't be seeing those very strong winds over the next few days,” says Caranci.
Crews are conducting planned ignitions in the south to help firefighters work towards containing the north and west flanks, which are creating challenges for firefighters to directly attack.
“Our objectives will be to continue using direct, parallel and indirect strategies to work to minimize the fire growth, mainly on the south and west flanks of the fire. And, use a more modified response on the north and east sides of the fire with structure protection continuing to be our threat mitigation strategy,” explains Caranci.
