Wildfires near Fort St. John in northeast B.C. affect highways, cut power

Several highways aroundFort St. Johnin northeast B.C. still have travel advisories in effect because of wildfires burning in the area.

DriveBCsays Highway97 near Taylor and Highway52 near Dawson Creek have been reopened after they were closed due tothe threat of wildfires close to the road. Atravel advisory has been issued for Highway 97 and Highway 29 because of poor visibility caused bysmoke.

• B.C. wildfire season starts early, raising concerns about the summer to come
• Farmers fight wildfire near Fort St. John
• Peace River Regional District emergency and evacuation orders

BC Hydro says the majority thewind and wildfire-related outages in the Peace Regionhave been restored, although 1,200 are still without power.

Earlier on Tuesday, BobGammer, a spokesman for BC Hydro, said fires had burned through 16 power poles.

Asmoky skies advisoryhas been issued for Fort St. John and the surrounding area.

GavinKing, a meteorologist with the B.C. Ministry of Environment, saidshifting winds expected Tuesday evening could spread the smoke farther. Residents in the area are encouraged to avoid strenuous outdoor activities and to contact a health-care provider if they experience difficulty breathing or chest pain.

Homes threatened

The wildfires in northeast B.C. have claimed at least one home and several outbuildings in the farming town of Baldonnel, near Fort St. John.

BaldonnelfarmerArthurHadlandtold CBC News he could see flames as high as 50 metresfrom his bedroom window.

"It's all around us, everybody that lives up here is concerned," saidHadland. "It's exceptionally dry and the wind is unbelievable.It'ssort of unprecedented in recent memory."

Ninety homes inBaldonnel, Charlie Lake, and South Taylorhave been evacuated, and hundreds more are under an evacuation alert, with residents told to be ready toleave at a moment's notice.

37 new fires Monday night

The B.C. Fire Centre says 37 new fires started in the Peace River district Monday night, spurredby record high temperatures, strong windsand dry farmland.

"We've got 21 fires in the Fort St. John zone, and 16 fires currently in the Dawson Creek zone," said Prince George Fire Centre information officerAmanda Reynolds. "Crews are heading out to those fires this morning."

Reynolds said some of the new fires appear to have been set deliberately.

Police in Prince George confirmed a wildfire in a residential district of thecity was started by two boys, age nine and 12, who were attempting to light a campfire with matches.

About 40 people were forced to evacuate the neighbourhood Monday afternoon.

A shed,patio and several backyards were burned before crews were able to put it out. Residents were allowed to return to their homes late last night.

Transport Canada took to Twitter to warnpeople against flying drones near wildfires. Drones are considered a serious threat to water bombers,hampering the efforts of crews to get fires under control.

"Don't get burned. Keep your #drone away from the forest fires in #FortStJohn," read one of the tweets.