A Williams Lake structural protection crew spent most of Monday protecting a ranch north of Fort St. John.
"It's about 300 acres with several buildings getting protected," Williams Lake Fire Chief Des Webster said Monday afternoon as the sound of helicopters could be heard flying overhead during a telephone interview. "There are helicopters all over the place."
Five firefighters from the Williams Lake Fire Department remain in the Fort St. John area, with the first structural protection crew having arrived on May 3.
"We will be here until at least the weekend," Webster said, noting the wind has really picked up today and it's very smoky where the crew is working.
He estimated the Beatton Airport Road fire is about four or five kilometres away from the ranch.
As of Monday morning the BC Wildfire Service estimated the fire is 15,000 hectares in size and 45 per cent contained, located 45 kilometres north of Fort St. John.
On Sunday the Peace River Regional District issued an evacuation order for people living in the area.