The route is closed until further notice as the nearly one-square-kilometre blaze spreads in steep terrain south of Cameron Lake, not far from Cathedral Grove, home to some of Canada’s oldest and tallest trees.
The B.C. Wildfire Service says heavy equipment, helicopters and crews are attacking what is believed to be a human-caused fire.
The other new fire, closer to the Alberta boundary, covers about two square kilometres and is also considered highly visible or a potential threat to public safety because it’s not far from Highway 52.
B.C.’s latest fires are in addition to the 2,656-square-kilometre Donnie Creek blaze that continues to burn out of control, primarily affecting work camps and industry between Fort St. John and Fort Nelson.
The wildfire service is reporting more than 80 active fires with most burning in the Prince George fire centre, covering north-central and northeastern B.C.