Large wildfire in northwest B.C. not expected to grow further: wildfire service

VANCOUVER – The BC Wildfire Service says one of British Columbia's largest active wildfires has been contained more than a month after it was initially discovered.

After growing to more than 900 square kilometres, the fire burning near Shovel Lake in northwestern B.C. was hit with scattered showers over night, and the wildfire service says further growth is unlikely.

The wildfire service says the forecast in the area is favourable for Sunday.

Highs are expected in the mid to upper teens, and there's plenty of moisture in the air with a humidity index of nearly 40 per cent.

This comes after winds gusting up to 60 kilometres per hour hit the blaze on Friday, which did not push the fire past the established containment lines.

Several evacuation alerts in the area were rescinded earlier on August 31, though further evacuation orders and alerts in the area will remain in effect, including an alert issued by the district of Fort St. James, a municipality due northeast of the wildfire.

An area restriction for public safety will remain in place for the wildfire near Shovel Lake until at least noon on Sept. 15.