Vancouver/IBNS: Donnie Creek wildfire in British Columbia (BC) has grown into the largest blaze ever recorded in the province's history, Wildfire Service reports.

Burning south of Fort Nelson in northeastern B.C., the fire is now estimated to spread over more than 5,343 square kilometers and has surpassed the Plateau fire, previously considered the province's largest fire.

Focused on protecting the infrastructure of the Alaska Highway, crews expect the blaze to continue to grow throughout the summer, Wildfire Service Information Officer Marg Drysdale said.

With 250 BC Wildfire Service personnel, including 152 firefighters, working to control the blaze, this out-of-control, highly visible fire may reportedly pose a threat to public safety.

The fire which started by lightning, Drysdale explained, is currently the result of about eight fires that grew quickly and merged into one blaze.

“It's really important for people right across the province to understand that we have not hit the fire season that we normally see in July and August...if we get a hot summer, we are going to see more impacts,” she said.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)