Latest news with #PeaceRiver
CTV News
16 hours ago
- Climate
- CTV News
New evacuation orders and alerts issued for Kiskatinaw River as wildfire set to grow
The Kiskatinaw River wildfire is seen in an image from the B.C. Wildfire Service. The Peace River Regional District in northeast British Columbia has issued new evacuation orders and alerts for the Kiskatinaw River area as the wildfire threatens to grow in the coming days. The district issued its third evacuation order and a fourth evacuation alert Tuesday night following a recommendation from the BC Wildfire Service. The service said it expects aggressive and challenging fire behaviour with hot, dry and windy conditions. Winds from the west are expected to reach over 50 kilometres per hour on Thursday and up to 60 kph by Friday, and will continue to drive the fire toward Kelly Lake and the Alberta border. The Peace River Regional District says most of the activity occurred on the south side of both the north and south fingers of the fire. It has reportedly spread across Highway 52 in some areas and residents are reminded that conditions may quickly change. The number of active wildfires in B.C. ticked down below 70 on Tuesday, with more than half classified as burning out of control. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2025.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Emergency service for wildfire evacuees in northeastern B.C. extended
B.C. Premier David Eby walks with then-Federal Minister of Emergency Preparedness Harjit Sajjan as they meet with officials at the incident command post in West Kelowna, B.C., on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito The British Columbia regional district where a wildfire continues to burn out of control has extended its emergency support services to residents evacuated from the blaze. The Peace River Regional District says emergency support services for the Kelly Lake area have been extended by seven days to June 8 'out of an abundance of caution based on recommendations from BC Wildfire Service due to uncertain fire conditions.' Nearby, the Kiskatinaw River wildfire continues to burn out of control, although the wildfire service says Sunday that its area has fallen to about 30 square kilometres, down from 46 square kilometres on Friday. About 70 people living in the area have been ordered to evacuate from their homes. The regional district says those who are in need of lodging, food or supply referrals should go in-person to the emergency support services centre in Dawson Creek. Overall, there are about 60 active wildfires in British Columbia as of Sunday, with the vast majority located in the province's northeast where some of B.C.'s worst drought conditions are situated. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 1, 2025. The Canadian Press
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.
CTV News
6 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Wildfire in Peace River, B.C., quadruples in size after evacuation order
The Kiskatinaw River wildfire burns south of Dawson Creek, B.C., in this Wednesday, May 28, 2025, handout photo. (BC Wildfire Service / Handout / The Canadian Press) DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — A wildfire in northeastern British Columbia that prompted an evacuation order on Thursday has quadrupled in size. The BC Wildfire Service is reporting that the blaze in the Peace River Regional District near the community of Kelly Lake is now about 46 square kilometres in size, up from 11 square kilometres Thursday afternoon. The out-of-control fire was burning close to the Pembina Steeprock gas processing facility and Highway 52 E, also known as the Heritage Highway. The Peace River Regional District issued the evacuation order for homes around Kelly Lake and areas north of Campbell Lake, west of Tent Lake, south of Twin Lakes, and east to the Alberta border. Census data suggests Kelly Lake has a population of about 75 residents and the district says people should evacuate to Dawson Creek. The fire is among about 60 burning in the province, 34 of which are classified as burning out of control. The online dashboard of the BC Wildfire Service says the Kiskatinaw River fire was discovered on Wednesday and is believed to be human caused. Of the active fires 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. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2025.
Globe and Mail
6 days ago
- Climate
- Globe and Mail
Wildfire in B.C.'s Peace River quadruples in size after evacuation order
A wildfire in northeastern British Columbia that prompted an evacuation order on Thursday has quadrupled in size. The BC Wildfire Service is reporting that the blaze in the Peace River Regional District near the community of Kelly Lake is now about 46 square kilometres in size, up from 11 square kilometres Thursday afternoon. The out-of-control fire was burning close to the Pembina Steeprock gas processing facility and Highway 52 E, also known as the Heritage Highway. Saskatchewan declares state of emergency as wildfires force evacuations in western and central Canada The Peace River Regional District issued the evacuation order for homes around Kelly Lake and areas north of Campbell Lake, west of Tent Lake, south of Twin Lakes, and east to the Alberta border. Census data suggests Kelly Lake has a population of about 75 residents and the district says people should evacuate to Dawson Creek. The fire is among about 60 burning in the province, 34 of which are classified as burning out of control. The online dashboard of the BC Wildfire Service says the Kiskatinaw River fire was discovered on Wednesday and is believed to be human caused. Of the active fires 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.
