The BC Wildfire Service says an out-of-control wildfire continues to move toward the community of Kelly Lake in northeastern B.C.

The small Peace River community and surrounding area is under an evacuation order as the Kiskatinaw River wildfire grows to nearly 75 square kilometres.

The agency said in an update Thursday that responders are seeing “aggressive fire behaviour,” and urged anyone in the evacuation zone to leave, saying, “this is a high-risk situation. Do not wait until you see smoke or fire to evacuate the area.”

They noted road access can quickly become compromised and said Highway 52 East remains closed in both directions.

The wildfire service said more than 100 firefighting personnel are battling the blaze. It said crews are in Kelly Lake activating sprinkler systems to help protect homes and other structures from the flames. Strong winds are in the forecast through Friday, and the agency said more “extreme fire behaviour is expected.”

Another wildfire of note about 10 kilometres northeast of Summit Lake has also prompted an evacuation alert. The wildfire service said that fire has grown to more than 26 square kilometres and extreme fire behaviour is expected before a cold front moves into the region this weekend. The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality is warning of delays and closures on Highway 97.

The BC Wildfire Service said Thursday there were 67 active wildfires in the province, with 41 listed as out of control.

A ban on campfires and other open fires is now in effect across much of the province’s northeast, including the Dawson Creek, Fort St. John and Fort Nelson fire zones. Bans on large open fires are already in effect across nearly all of southern B.C., and a prohibition on larger fires also begins Friday in the northwest.