Latest news with #KellyLakeCreeNation
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Potential for further growth for wildfire in northeast B.C., officials say
The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) says that the Kiskatinaw River wildfire in the northeast, which has led to evacuation orders and alerts, has the potential to grow in the coming days. The Kiskatinaw River blaze is burning adjacent to the B.C.-Alberta border south of Dawson Creek, and it covers an area of around 30 square kilometres, down from 46 square kilometres on Friday. There has been no significant growth on the blaze in the last 48 hours, the B.C. Wildfire Service said in an update Sunday, but they added that weather conditions were dry and windy and could challenge firefighters. "There's a slight chance of light rain, but any precipitation is expected to be minimal and may not significantly impact fire behaviour," the service wrote in an update. "There is ongoing potential for increased fire activity and further growth in the coming days." The wildfire has prompted an evacuation order covering roughly 70 people in the Kelly Lake area, primarily members of the Kelly Lake Cree Nation. Emergency support services for evacuees have been extended by the Peace River Regional District (PRRD), which said in an update Sunday that it was extending support until June 8. "This decision was made out of an abundance of caution based on recommendations from [B.C.] Wildfire Service due to uncertain fire conditions," the PRRD said in a statement. The Kiskatinaw River wildfire is currently B.C.'s only "wildfire of note", which means it is particularly visible or poses a threat to public safety. Officials say that firefighters are building containment lines along the edges of the blaze, and directly attacking the fire where possible. "Helicopters are dropping water in areas where the fire is most active, to slow the spread and make it safer for crews on the ground," the BCWS says. The service added that structure protection personnel were on site in the Kelly Lake area, as well as the nearby One Island Lake area. The out-of-control Kiskatinaw River fire is burning close to the Pembina Steeprock gas processing facility and Highway 52 East, which has been partially closed as a result. Homes around Kelly Lake — about 80 kilometres south of Dawson Creek and immediately adjacent to the B.C.-Alberta border — were placed on evacuation order Thursday. The order also covers areas north of Campbell Lake — west of Tent Lake, south of Twin Lakes, and east of the Alberta border. As of Sunday afternoon, there were 65 active wildfires in B.C., most of which were caused by lightning.
CBC
4 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Potential for further growth for wildfire in northeast B.C., officials say
The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) says that the Kiskatinaw River wildfire in the northeast, which has led to evacuation orders and alerts, has the potential to grow in the coming days. The Kiskatinaw River blaze is burning adjacent to the B.C.-Alberta border south of Dawson Creek, and it covers an area of around 30 square kilometres, down from 46 square kilometres on Friday. There has been no significant growth on the blaze in the last 48 hours, the B.C. Wildfire Service said in an update Sunday, but they added that weather conditions were dry and windy and could challenge firefighters. "There's a slight chance of light rain, but any precipitation is expected to be minimal and may not significantly impact fire behaviour," the service wrote in an update. "There is ongoing potential for increased fire activity and further growth in the coming days." The wildfire has prompted an evacuation order covering roughly 70 people in the Kelly Lake area, primarily members of the Kelly Lake Cree Nation. Emergency support services for evacuees have been extended by the Peace River Regional District (PRRD), which said in an update Sunday that it was extending support until June 8. "This decision was made out of an abundance of caution based on recommendations from [B.C.] Wildfire Service due to uncertain fire conditions," the PRRD said in a statement. The Kiskatinaw River wildfire is currently B.C.'s only "wildfire of note", which means it is particularly visible or poses a threat to public safety. Officials say that firefighters are building containment lines along the edges of the blaze, and directly attacking the fire where possible. "Helicopters are dropping water in areas where the fire is most active, to slow the spread and make it safer for crews on the ground," the BCWS says. The service added that structure protection personnel were on site in the Kelly Lake area, as well as the nearby One Island Lake area. The out-of-control Kiskatinaw River fire is burning close to the Pembina Steeprock gas processing facility and Highway 52 East, which has been partially closed as a result. Homes around Kelly Lake — about 80 kilometres south of Dawson Creek and immediately adjacent to the B.C.-Alberta border — were placed on evacuation order Thursday. The order also covers areas north of Campbell Lake — west of Tent Lake, south of Twin Lakes, and east of the Alberta border. As of Sunday afternoon, there were 65 active wildfires in B.C., most of which were caused by lightning.
CBC
6 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Wildfire in Peace River, B.C., quadruples in size after evacuation order
A wildfire in northeastern British Columbia that prompted an evacuation order for roughly 70 people on Thursday has quadrupled in size. The B.C. Wildfire Service reported Friday morning that the Kiskatinaw River wildfire in the Peace River Regional District near the community of Kelly Lake was about 46 square kilometres in size, up from 11 square kilometres Thursday afternoon. The fire is among about 60 burning in the province, and one of 34 that are classified as out of control. The service said it expects increased fire behaviour in the northeast because of long-term drought, Wednesday's hot spell and wind. Additional resources have been deployed to the region as a proactive measure. Highway closed The out-of-control fire is burning close to the Pembina Steeprock gas processing facility and Highway 52 E, which has been partially closed as a result. The Peace River Regional District issued the evacuation order Thursday for homes around Kelly Lake — about 80 kilometers south of Dawson Creek and immediately adjacent to the B.C.-Alberta border — as well as areas north of Campbell Lake — west of Tent Lake, south of Twin Lakes, and east to the Alberta border. The Kelly Lake Cree Nation says about 70 people live in their community, most of them elders. About 10 residents have chosen to stay behind, a spokesperson said. The online dashboard of the B.C. Wildfire Service says the Kiskatinaw River fire was discovered on Wednesday and is believed to be human caused, which is the definition given to any fire not caused by lightning. Of the active wildfires in B.C., the service says 18 per cent were human caused, 77 per cent were started by lightning, while five per cent have unknown causes.
