By Kellah Lavoie

Fire south of P.A. still not under control

May 19, 2011 | 9:42 AM

A fire burning between MacDowell and Duck Lake is picking up steam.

It has grown to about 147 hectares, said Jeanette Krayetski, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Environment. It grew significantly over night and it still not under control.

“We do believe the fire is from human activity,” she said, explaining there has not been any lightening to ignite it.

“It is presently under investigation to find out how it started.”

The fire was spotted Wednesday at about 1:30 p.m. by an observer in a fire tower, and she said crews were dispatched immediately.

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Crews spent the evening creating a perimeter around the blaze and air tankers were also working on scene.

Once there is a perimeter around the fire and firefighter are holding it, they can update the status, she said. It is something they are still working towards.

The Ministry of Environment is sending out more firefighters today.

“If there (are) flare-ups, they may request help from the helicopters or the air tankers,” Krayetski said.

At the time the fire was noticed, there was a school group in the area, she said. They were doing survival training, but left the scene safely.

The fire is located five miles south of MacDowell. It should not impact traffic, Krayetski said.

klavoie@panow.com