The fire burning above Chute Lake Road in the Gillard Creek area has been surrounded by crews and equipment working to contain it. The fire was first reported around 2 a.m. Monday, and at its height was between three and four hectares in size. It is believed to have been started by a lightning strike.

B.C. Forest Service spokesman, Dale Bojahra, says they've managed to work their equipment completely around the fire. "There's little or no smoke coming off as far as our guys can see. That doesn't mean it's completely out yet as we still can't get people to every part of the fire."

"To give you an idea of the size and difficulty of the blaze," says Bojahra, "Imagine a three-hectare slash pile. The wind knocked down so many trees in the area, it was literally twenty feet deep in places."

Crews continue to assess danger trees and put out hot spots.

Bojahra says they received calls on nine new fires from Monday evening's lightning storm and managed to put them all out.