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Fire still burning west of Harrison Lake

Forest fire continues to grow as crews battle blaze
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The blaze as viewed from Harrison Lake's shoreline.

According to the BC Wildfire Service as of Sunday evening, a forest fire west of Harrison Lake has grown to 45 hectares in size. Wind has helped spread the “aggressively burning ground fire,” according to the provincial authority.

Campers have been evacuated from the Wood Lake Recreation Site about one kilometre from the fire, as well as the popular 20 Mile Bay campsite to the north.

The fire was first reported on the afternoon of August 2. It grew from seven to more than 40 hectares in a matter of hours.

Officials suspect the fire was human caused and preventable.

More than 40 personnel are working on the fire, including three helicopters with more resources en-route as of Sunday evening. Air tankers have been steadily dropping retarder and water on the fire.

The West Harrison Lake Forest Service Road has been blocked to allow firefighters a safe place to work.