An air quality advisory for Prince George and Vanderhoof was issued early Wednesday morning as the Shovel Lake fire near Endako continued to burn.
"Wildfire smoke is a natural part of our environment but it is important to be mindful that exposure to smoke may affect your health," officials said in the advisory. "People with pre-existing health conditions, the elderly, infants, children and sensitive individuals are more likely to experience health effects from smoke exposure."
As of Wednesday, the Shovel Lake fire remained at 5,000 hectares and zero per cent contained according to a B.C. Wildfire Service online posting.
"Crews are continuing to work to establish containment on the southern flank with machine guard and hose lay," BCWFS said. "Yesterday crews successfully supported containment lines by performing a burn out two kilometres up the Owl Lake Extension road."
Firefighters were also working on the western and northern flanks by reopening the road system between Nest Road and Roof Road to establish containment lines and complete the equipment guard along Helene Lake.
"Active fire behavior is expected for today given moderate winds, high temperatures, and low relative humidifies." BCWFS said.
"As well, more thunderstorm activity is expected for this afternoon."
In all, 101 firefighters supported by seven helicopters and 33 pieces of heavy equipment were on the scene.
Late Wednesday afternoon, ban on all outdoor burning, including campfires, was issued for the entire Northwest fire centre, which starts just east of Endako.
As well, both a forest fire area restriction issued by the BCWFS and an evacuation alert issued by the Bulkley-Nechako Regional District for the area remain in place.
Crews are also contending with a second wildfire of note in the Central Interior.
First discovered on Sunday, the Chutanli Lake fire southwest of Prince George, stood at about 800 hectares as of Wednesday morning, up slightly from 736 hectares the day before.
Twenty-two firefighters supported by two helicopters and 10 pieces of heavy equipment continued to work on constructing a guard on the south of the fire, B.C. Wildfire Service information officer Forrest Tower said.
Existing roads - namely the Kluskus and Kluskus-Ootsa Forest Service Roads - are being used to create fuel free zones. Also in response, the Cariboo Regional District has issued an evacuation alert for the Tatelkuz Lake area, about 130 kilometres west of Quesnel.
The causes of both fires are under investigation.
