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No rain gives Watson area fire growing space

A fire ban affecting much of southern Yukon has been lifted, thanks to cooler, wetter weather. But the wildfire raging just across the Yukon border in northern BC didn't get the wet weather, and continues to grow.

A fire ban affecting much of southern Yukon has been lifted, thanks to cooler, wetter weather.

But the wildfire raging just across the Yukon border in northern BC didn’t get the wet weather, and continues to grow.

The fire is now mapped at 30,100 hectares.

“Anticipated precipitation did not occur over the fire,” said BC fire information officer Tim Neal in an e-mail.

“Rain gages were showing zero precipitation.”

And smoky conditions prevail, he said.

Approximately five millimetres of rain is forecast to fall over the fire on Thursday, with much cooler temperatures expected.

“This could be the turning point in the fire behaviour activity,” said Neal. “We anticipate that we could open the highway by Friday if five millimetres of rain or more does occur.”

There are two helicopters and five pieces of heavy equipment working the fire.

An evacuation notice remains in effect for Upper Liard and Junction 37.