Latest news with #KiskatinawRiver
CBC
5 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Restrictions in effect in Dawson Creek, B.C., as persistent drought dries up water supply
As drought persists in some parts of northeastern B.C., Dawson Creek says it is imposing restrictions to conserve drinking water starting Friday, with officials warning the city may soon have to rely solely on its reservoirs if dry conditions persist. The restrictions come as the region enters its fourth straight year of hot, dry weather, a pattern city officials trace back to the 2021 heat dome. Since then, low snowpacks and scarce rainfall have severely strained the city's only water source, the Kiskatinaw River. Officials say the current situation is likely to get worse before it gets better, and the urgency to secure a new water supply is now critical. "It's extremely concerning. Water levels are the lowest I think that we have recorded in history," said Mayor Darcy Dober. "Without a lot of moisture and water in the forecast, it's inevitable that we're not going to be able to pump out of the Kiskatinaw, and we're going to have to use our reservoirs." B.C. unveils new drought-tracking system 5 days ago As the driest summer months approach, the B.C. government has unveiled a new system to track and report drought conditions in the province. The program will show how much water a community has stored for use and how well rivers and creeks are flowing. Watershed at 'tipping point' Dawson Creek draws its drinking water from the Kiskatinaw River, which is fed by Bearhole Lake, a protected area in the eastern foothills of the Rockies. Unlike glacial-fed waters, both depend entirely on seasonal rain and snow. In Bearhole Lake, water levels have dropped more than 20 centimetres below a weir built in 2009 to capture water and replenish river flows in dry years. The Kiskatinaw itself is at historic lows not seen since 1992, according to the city. "What we're seeing now in the Kiskatinaw is a trajectory that is a bit unsettling. It is low flows, much like last year, but we're seeing it drop quicker and sooner," said Kevin Henderson, the city's chief administrative officer, who has dealt with water infrastructure issues throughout much of his 30-year career working for the city. Henderson says river levels may soon fall below the city's daily water demand, forcing Dawson Creek to begin drawing from its storage reservoirs just to meet basic needs. "We are getting to a point here in the coming days where the flows in the river will be potentially lower than what our daily demand is in the community," Henderson said. "That means we're going to start to be in a bit of a negative position where we're going to have to rely on our storage reservoirs to augment what we are unable to pump out of the river." "And if we get a cold, early shot of winter, that river could freeze and limit our ability to withdraw water," he added. "We would be reliant on our storage reservoirs all winter long." Winter scare reignited 2013 pipeline plans In January 2024, the Kiskatinaw froze solid, forcing the city to rely entirely on stored water for six weeks and implement restrictions. That revived discussions on building a new pipeline, first proposed in 2013, to tap into a new water source from either the Peace or Murray rivers. "Since then, so about 18 months, it's been our number one priority," said Dober. "We realized, at that point, that all the work that [previous] councils have done were great to get us where we were, but we were still at the point where we didn't have a reliable water source and we need that — not only for Dawson Creek, but for the [neighbouring] Village of Pouce Coupe and the Peace River Regional District. "Our water source is a reliable source for a lot of people, not just in the city." Such a project won't be easy. A pipeline from the Peace River would span some 55 kilometres, and early estimates suggest the price tag could exceed $100 million. City officials say that's not something the local tax base can carry or do alone. They've also asked the province for an exemption from a lengthy environmental assessment process, which could take two to five years to complete. "We don't have two to five years," Dober said. "We need to get this moving quick. Once we can get a permit and that approval, then we've got to figure out how we're getting it done." Restrictions begin Friday Stage 2 water restrictions go into effect July 25, limiting residential lawn watering and industrial water use, including bulk withdrawals for hydraulic fracturing. "Right now, we're not seeing a lot of industrial demand," Henderson said. "What it will do is just ensure that we don't have any of that demand come online in the coming days or weeks that would put further stress on the system." While Dawson Creek has about 200 days worth of water stored in city reservoirs, officials are cautious about drawing it down too quickly. If dry weather continues, more restrictions could follow, including shutdowns of car washes and recreational facilities like water parks. "It all depends on the weather," Henderson said. "If we have a wet fall, that certainly can help us ... If we have a very hot August and it stretches through September with no moisture, then things are likely going to get a little bit more complicated, and we're going to have to make some further decisions on conservation measures."
CTV News
20-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Wildfire of note downgraded in B.C., remains burning out of control
The Pocket Knife Creek wildfire south of Fort Nelson, B.C., seen in this handout photo on Wednesday, June 10, 2025, is now classified as "being held" and is not expected to grow outside its current perimeter. (The Canadian Press / Handout / BC Wildfire Service) A recent soaking of rain in northeastern British Columbia has helped to remove the one remaining fire out of the so-called wildfire of note category, although the Summit Lake blaze is still labelled as burning out of control. Two other wildfires of note, meaning they are highly visible or a threat to communities, were also taken off that list this week. The Kiskatinaw River fire and the Pocket Knife Creek wildfire, were also both downgraded after being deemed 'held.' The BC Wildfire Service has said up to 100 millimetres of rain in some areas has significantly reduced wildfire activity and more wet weather is in the forecast. That area in northeastern B.C. has had repeated years of drought and the most recent drought map puts the level at three on a scale of five, which means conditions are still severely dry. There are about 80 fires currently burning in B.C., most of which are in the northeast and more than 80 per cent are believed to have been caused by lightning. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025.
Globe and Mail
19-06-2025
- Climate
- Globe and Mail
B.C. downgrades status of two major wildfires in northeast
Two of the three most significant wildfires in British Columbia have been downgraded and are no longer considered fires of note. They include the 263-square-kilometre Kiskatinaw River wildfire in northeastern B.C., which was deemed on Wednesday to be no longer out of control. The Pocket Knife Creek wildfire northwest of Fort. St. John, the biggest blaze in B.C. at more than 1,500 square kilometres, has also lost wildfire-of-note status, having earlier been removed from the out-of-control stage. Both fires are now considered to be held, meaning they aren't expected to grow beyond current perimeters, as fire crews get support from heavy rain in northeastern B.C. Outdated forestry rules increase wildfire risk, B.C. Forest Practices Board says That leaves the 800-square-kilometre Summit Creek wildfire burning out of control in the northeast as the province's only fire of note – indicating that either homes are threatened or it's highly visible. The BC Wildfire Service says there is a risk of thunderstorms across central and northern B.C. on Thursday, but the province will see cooler temperatures starting Friday and into the weekend with some areas expected to get heavy rain. There are currently about 85 wildfires actively burning in B.C.
CTV News
19-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Two major wildfires in northeast B.C. are downgraded, leaving just one fire of note
The Kiskatinaw River wildfire burns south of Dawson Creek, B.C. in this Thursday, June 5, 2025, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, B.C. Wildfire Service *MANDATORY CREDIT* Two of the three most significant wildfires in British Columbia have been downgraded and are no longer considered fires of note. They include the 263-square-kilometre Kiskatinaw River wildfire in northeastern B.C., which was deemed on Wednesday to be no longer out of control. The Pocket Knife Creek wildfire northwest of Fort. St. John, the biggest blaze in B.C. at more than 1,500 square kilometres, has also lost wildfire-of-note status, having earlier been removed from the out-of-control stage. Both fires are now considered to be held, meaning they aren't expected to grow beyond current perimeters, as fire crews get support from heavy rain in northeastern B.C. That leaves the 800-square-kilometre Summit Creek wildfire burning out of control in the northeast as the province's only fire of note — indicating that either homes are threatened or it's highly visible. The BC Wildfire Service says there is a risk of thunderstorms across central and northern B.C. on Thursday, but the province will see cooler temperatures starting Friday and into the weekend with some areas expected to get heavy rain. There are currently about 85 wildfires actively burning in B.C. This report by Brieanna Charlebois, The Canadian Press, was first published June 19, 2025.
CTV News
18-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Evacuation orders lifted for Kiskatinaw wildfire in northeast B.C.
The Kiskatinaw River wildfire burns south of Dawson Creek, B.C., in this May 29, 2025 handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, B.C. Wildfire Service *MANDATORY CREDIT* The Peace River Regional District has cancelled four evacuation orders and one alert for properties near a wildfire that is burning out of control in northeastern British Columbia. The Kiskatinaw River blaze is currently listed as more than 266 square kilometres in size and classified as one of the three so-called wildfires of note in the province. The district says the region does not need to remain on evacuation order and residents are cleared to go home, but it has issued an evacuation alert for some properties threatened by the fire and it encourages people to remain prepared to leave if conditions change. It says an official BC Wildfire area restriction, which limits public access for safety during ongoing fire suppression work, remains in place. The blaze is one of nearly 90 wildfires actively burning across the province, most of which are in the northeast corner. The service says in its latest regional situational report that cooler temperatures and patchy showers are expected in the north while the south is still warm and dry. It says thundershowers in the eastern and northern regions may bring some short term relief but warns such storms can produce lightning that sets off more fires. The service says 75 per cent of the fires actively burning in B.C. are believed to be lightning caused. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 18, 2025.
