Latest news with #KellyLake
CBC
a day ago
- Climate
- CBC
Structures 'impacted' by Kiskatinaw River blaze, officials say, as wildfire threat increases in northeast B.C.
A rapidly growing wildfire that forced the evacuation of the community of Kelly Lake in northeast B.C. has now impacted some structures, the B.C. Wildfire Service says. Discovered two weeks ago, the Kiskatinaw River fire has grown to almost 216.8 square kilometres and is now pushing into Alberta. Fire information officer Karley Desrosiers said there are about 60 B.C. Wildfire Service personnel and 60 structure protection personnel from fire departments across the province working to defend Kelly Lake, a community of 70 people about 60 kilometres southeast of Dawson Creek. But, she said, some structures have been "impacted." And the wildfire service said it expects Monday to be "another challenging day, as winds remain elevated and conditions remain very dry." "Significant growth is anticipated again," the service said in its latest update. The fire has closed Highway 52 East in both directions between One Island Lake Road and Hiding Creek Road, according to DriveBC. On Friday, the fire crossed the border into Alberta, where structure protection crews are present in the county of Grande Prairie. It is one of three wildfires of note in B.C., a term given to fires that are particularly visible or that pose a risk to human life or critical infrastructure. Pocket Knife Creek fire merges Further north, about 150 kilometres southwest of Fort Nelson, the Pocket Knife Creek fire has ballooned in size to 610.5 square kilometres after merging with another blaze. The fire is now designated a wildfire of note. Fire behaviour there is expected to increase due to a wind warning in effect for the Fort St. John zone, according to the wildfire service's latest update. Peace River Regional District has issued two evacuation orders for the area, and a section of Highway 97 is closed, according to DriveBC. Dry, windy conditions expected to worsen Summit Lake fire The third wildfire of note is the Summit Lake fire, located west of Fort Nelson, which has grown to 106.67 square kilometres. The B.C. Wildfire Service has said to expect "extreme fire behaviour" there as a cold front moves into the region Monday. "The continuation of warm dry weather, combined with strong gusting winds, of variable directions increase fire behaviour on many of the wildfires in Fort Nelson Complex," the service said in an online update. Northern Rockies Regional Municipality has issued an evacuation order for the Tetsa River area, and a stretch of Highway 97 is closed due to the wildfire. There are 83 active wildfires in B.C. as of midday Monday, more than half of which are classified as "out of control."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
B.C. wildfire fighters experience slight reprieve, but more wind on horizon
The B.C. Wildfire Service said that firefighters experienced a slight reprieve battling one of its most concerning blazes on Saturday, and it was seeing stable skies in the parched northeast corner of the province. However, another cold front is expected to bring high winds starting Sunday night into Monday, and conditions remain hot and dry across B.C. In addition, motorists in the far north are being encouraged to check the status of the Alaska Highway (Highway 97) that continues to be threatened by a raging wildfire. For the Kiskatinaw River wildfire in the northeast on the B.C.-Alberta border, however, firefighters say that forecasted high winds overnight on Friday did not materialize. "We had calmer winds overnight than we expected and there was very minimal fire behaviour," fire information officer Karley Desrosiers said Saturday morning. "So limited growth [is] expected." The blaze covered an area of 130.6 square kilometres as of Saturday afternoon, and it has resulted in evacuation orders for more than 50 properties in the community of Kelly Lake. Highway 52 East remains closed due to the blaze, which has jumped the B.C.-Alberta border and is burning close to the Pembina Steeprock gas processing facility. "The fire does remain to the north of Kelly Lake and the south of Kelly Lake, but not has not made it to the community itself," Desrosiers said. "We do have structural protection personnel continuing to work in the community to extinguish hot spots as they do occur." WATCH | Evacuation orders in Alberta due to Kiskatinaw River blaze: Emelie Peacock, another fire information officer, said that an ongoing heat wave in the southern half of the province was increasing the wildfire danger — but much of the province's fire activity is concentrated in the north. As of Saturday afternoon 64 of the province's 69 active fires were located in the northeast section of the province. "Luckily, today we're seeing just some smoky conditions, but pretty stable skies," Peacock said Saturday. However, Peacock warned that another cold front would come in on Sunday, bringing high winds and adding to hot and dry conditions. "This challenging weather, it's bringing winds of 30 to 50 [km/h], gusting up to 75 km/h," she said. "This weather is likely to bring a potential for extreme fire behaviour and fire growth on those currently burning wildfires." Fire jumps Alaska Highway In B.C.'s far north, multiple fires are burning in the area of Fort Nelson — some of which burned through the winter and re-emerged this spring. The Summit Lake wildfire is burning close to the Alaska Highway (Highway 97) west of Fort Nelson, and has resulted in evacuation orders for a stretch of properties along the highway. Fire information officer Madison Dahl said that the fire grew on its southwest flank overnight on Saturday and crossed the highway in that area, and further growth wasn't unexpected. It covers an area of 106.6 square kilometres as of Saturday afternoon. "Crews today are focusing their efforts on ensuring that the active flame front, and any danger trees adjacent to Highway 97, don't pose a risk to public safety," she told CBC News on Saturday. "We want to ensure that the wildfire has not impacted the integrity of Highway 97 and that we can safely allow for for travel for people in that corridor." DriveBC has the latest information for Highway 97. With no detour available, Dahl urged commuters in the area to be patient. "We are doing our best to facilitate safe travel, but again, safety is our number one priority and unless it is safe to do so, the highway will remain closed," she said. Meanwhile, the Fort Nelson First Nation issued an evacuation order for the Kahntah area on Friday evening and upgraded an evacuation alert for the Fontas area due to nearby fires. There are also special air quality statements issued for the Fort Nelson and Peace River regions on Saturday due to wildfire smoke.
CBC
3 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
B.C. wildfire fighters experience slight reprieve, but more wind on horizon
Social Sharing The B.C. Wildfire Service said that firefighters experienced a slight reprieve battling one of its most concerning blazes on Saturday, and it was seeing stable skies in the parched northeast corner of the province. However, another cold front is expected to bring high winds starting Sunday night into Monday, and conditions remain hot and dry across B.C. In addition, motorists in the far north are being encouraged to check the status of the Alaska Highway (Highway 97) that continues to be threatened by a raging wildfire. For the Kiskatinaw River wildfire in the northeast on the B.C.-Alberta border, however, firefighters say that forecasted high winds overnight on Friday did not materialize. "We had calmer winds overnight than we expected and there was very minimal fire behaviour," fire information officer Karley Desrosiers said Saturday morning. "So limited growth [is] expected." The blaze covered an area of 130.6 square kilometres as of Saturday afternoon, and it has resulted in evacuation orders for more than 50 properties in the community of Kelly Lake. Highway 52 East remains closed due to the blaze, which has jumped the B.C.-Alberta border and is burning close to the Pembina Steeprock gas processing facility. "The fire does remain to the north of Kelly Lake and the south of Kelly Lake, but not has not made it to the community itself," Desrosiers said. "We do have structural protection personnel continuing to work in the community to extinguish hot spots as they do occur." WATCH | Evacuation orders in Alberta due to Kiskatinaw River blaze: B.C. wildfire crossing into Alberta prompts wider evacuation order 4 hours ago Duration 4:19 Emelie Peacock, another fire information officer, said that an ongoing heat wave in the southern half of the province was increasing the wildfire danger — but much of the province's fire activity is concentrated in the north. As of Saturday afternoon 64 of the province's 69 active fires were located in the northeast section of the province. "Luckily, today we're seeing just some smoky conditions, but pretty stable skies," Peacock said Saturday. However, Peacock warned that another cold front would come in on Sunday, bringing high winds and adding to hot and dry conditions. "This challenging weather, it's bringing winds of 30 to 50 [km/h], gusting up to 75 km/h," she said. "This weather is likely to bring a potential for extreme fire behaviour and fire growth on those currently burning wildfires." Fire jumps Alaska Highway In B.C.'s far north, multiple fires are burning in the area of Fort Nelson — some of which burned through the winter and re-emerged this spring. The Summit Lake wildfire is burning close to the Alaska Highway (Highway 97) west of Fort Nelson, and has resulted in evacuation orders for a stretch of properties along the highway. Fire information officer Madison Dahl said that the fire grew on its southwest flank overnight on Saturday and crossed the highway in that area, and further growth wasn't unexpected. It covers an area of 106.6 square kilometres as of Saturday afternoon. "Crews today are focusing their efforts on ensuring that the active flame front, and any danger trees adjacent to Highway 97, don't pose a risk to public safety," she told CBC News on Saturday. "We want to ensure that the wildfire has not impacted the integrity of Highway 97 and that we can safely allow for for travel for people in that corridor." DriveBC has the latest information for Highway 97. With no detour available, Dahl urged commuters in the area to be patient. "We are doing our best to facilitate safe travel, but again, safety is our number one priority and unless it is safe to do so, the highway will remain closed," she said. Meanwhile, the Fort Nelson First Nation issued an evacuation order for the Kahntah area on Friday evening and upgraded an evacuation alert for the Fontas area due to nearby fires.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
‘Extreme fire behaviour' possible in northeast B.C., with dozens of homes evacuated
Strong winds could make an already dire situation even worse in northeastern B.C. where wildfires have forced dozens of homes to evacuate. Wildfires have forced the evacuation of dozens of homes in northeastern B.C., and many other people are preparing to leave if needed. Officials are warning high winds this weekend mean there's a potential for what they call 'extreme fire behaviour' in the coming days. Dramatic scenes are unfolding in the Peace region, as fire crews in helicopters attempt to protect homes and other buildings in the mostly Cree community of Kelly Lake, where all residents have been ordered to evacuate due to the Kiskatinaw River fire. 'I'm an optimist,' Kelly Lake and Cree woman Shelley Calliou told CTV News on Friday while temporarily relocated to a Dawson Creek hotel. 'I wanted to believe in my heart that our community that was built by our resilient ancestors, you know, would be protected, that we would have those homes to go back to. And currently, as far as I'm aware, those homes are still standing.' Calliou outlined her dramatic escape – with her family given just two hours to pack what they could carry as Mounties went to each property to inform people of the order to leave. She said beyond the family home, she is concerned about damage to the surrounding terrain, where her family has lived for generations. 'These are peoples' homes,' Peace River South B.C. Conservative MLA Larry Neufeld told CTV News on Friday when describing his level of concern, given the situation. 'This is their community and to be displaced from your community due to a wildfire is a tragic event, and I know the province is doing the best they can. I would very much like to express my gratitude to the firefighters. They've done an amazing job.' The fire has already crossed the border into Alberta, and a cold front is arriving. 'Extreme fire behaviour is expected over the next couple of days throughout the northeastern region of the fire centre,' said Casda Thomas, a fire information officer with the Prince George Fire Centre. 'There are very strong winds forecast for today and Sunday.' The provincial government will provide a seasonal emergency preparedness update on Monday, which could offer some insight into what could be coming during this drought and fire season.
CBC
4 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
'Volatile' wildfires in northeastern B.C. expected to be whipped up by wind this weekend
THE LATEST Evacuation orders are in place in areas near Kelly Lake, B.C., due to the Kiskatinaw River fire and along the Alaska Highway due to the Summit Lake fire. The Kiskatinaw River fire has moved into Alberta as of Thursday evening. Wildfires of note are expected to grow due to elevated winds. The B.C. Wildfire Service is expecting an intense weekend of fire activity as winds threaten to fan the flames of two major wildfires in the province's northeast. The two fires, the Kiskatinaw River fire and the Summit Lake fire, are marked as "wildfires of note," meaning they pose a risk to human life or critical infrastructure. The Kiskatinaw River fire, near the community of Kelly Lake, B.C., nearly 60 kilometres southeast of Dawson Creek, is currently estimated at 119 square kilometres, but fire information officer Karley Desrosiers said that number is likely an undercount based on the growth seen Thursday evening. "We're certainly in for a couple more very challenging days," said Desrosiers, adding the situation will likely be "very volatile and dynamic" between now and Sunday. At a news conference on Friday, Desrosiers said there is the potential for the fire to grow significantly. The perimeter of the fire has not reached the Kelly Lake boundary, though Desrosiers said embers that were swept ahead of the flame front into the community caused spot fires. She noted a wind shift expected around 5 p.m. on Friday could push a flank of the fire toward the Kelly Lake community. The Peace River Regional District has issued evacuation orders within the Kelly Lake area. The last known number of properties in the area was 56, but the district's emergency operations centre director, Ryan Kirkham, said the number has grown since the last census in 2021. Desrosiers noted the fire crossed over the Alberta border north of Kelly Lake Thursday evening. The B.C. Wildfire Service has multiple helicopters doing "bucketing," pouring water over areas to cool them down, and performing high-level scans to map the perimeter. The County of Grande Prairie and Alberta Wildfire are also supporting the B.C. Wildfire Service and the organizations are working from the same facility in Dawson Creek. "They are providing resource support both from a decision-making perspective and capacity, and also resources on the ground as those are available to them." Officials said they had no reports of affected infrastructure. Desrosiers couldn't say when the orders might be rescinded. "Until we make it through that period of very strong, very erratic and, quite frankly, very, very dangerous conditions, we will be in no position to reassess the evacuation orders or alerts." She thanked the community for its support of the crews on the ground. "They are doing everything they can to protect life and property. That is their No. 1 priority." Summit Lake wildfire grows B.C.'s second wildfire of note, the Summit Lake wildfire along the Alaska Highway west of Fort Nelson, B.C., has tripled in size to 83.54 square kilometres from 26 square kilometres on Thursday. The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality has issued an evacuation order for an area along the Alaska Highway corridor from the Summit Lake Campground to the Steamboat Mountain brake check. Information officer Madison Dahl told CBC the growth is, in part, due to a nine-square-kilometre aerial ignition completed on June 3. "The purpose of these aerial ignition operations was to reduce the intensity of the fire behaviour along this section of Highway 97 by removing unburnt fuel to prevent it from free burning under more challenging weather conditions," the wildfire service said in its latest update. Dahl said the Summit Lake wildfire is expected to grow as elevated winds influence fire behaviour and noted conditions may change quickly. The B.C. Wildfire Service has told drivers to expect delays and closures on Highway 97 (Alaska Highway). "The fire is burning in incredibly rugged and difficult terrain with very limited natural barriers or breaks in fuel continuity," the service said in the update.
