The Prince George Fire Centre has restricted public access to a large area around the 2,700-hectare Eskal fire southeast of Fort Nelson.

According to a Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, the order concerns a 40,000-hectare zone from Kilometre 0 on Eskai Road north to the Fort Nelson River and to the mouth of the Sikanni Chief River.

It will remain in place until September 30 unless it's lifted before then. The ministry stated that industry personnel will be allowed into the area with the authorization of a forest official.

The B.C. government has also noted that depending on the conditions, crews may burn off some fuel in the forest to reduce the chance of the blaze crossing the Fort Nelson River.

Meanwhile, 79 firefighters from Yukon, Saskatchewan, and Ontario have arrived in B.C. to help deal with an increasing number of fires.

"The Fire Danger Rating for the province is mostly 'high', with some areas of 'moderate' and many patches of 'extreme'," the ministry stated.  "Hot and dry conditions are expected this weekend, with a risk of thunderstorm activity."