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CBC
3 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Alaska Highway closed again by wildfire in B.C.'s far north
A raging wildfire in B.C.'s far north has, once again, prompted the closure of the Alaska Highway (Highway 97) in both directions west of Fort Nelson. The Summit Lake wildfire, which grew overnight and now covers 26.3 square kilometres, was first discovered on May 28, but grew aggressively between Sunday and Monday, prompting a highway closure for much of Monday. While the Alaska Highway partially reopened to allow single-lane alternating traffic around 9:30 p.m. PT on Monday, it was closed again around 12 p.m. PT on Tuesday due to the blaze. Commuters have been asked to check DriveBC for the latest on the stretch, with no detour available. An evacuation alert remains in place for a stretch of the highway in the Tetsa Lake area, with the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality warning people there to be ready to leave at a moment's notice. The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) said in an online update that, while maintaining access to the critical Highway 97 stretch was a priority, the safety of crews and the public was its primary objective. "This wildfire experienced growth overnight; none of the growth was in the direction of Highway 97 or toward identified assets," the Tuesday update reads. "Weather will continue to have impacts on fire behaviour and highway access." The BCWS said in its update that it conducted a planned ignition on Monday to limit the wildfire's impact on the highway, and larger planned ignitions would be conducted on Tuesday. "Much of this fire is in incredibly difficult and inaccessible terrain," the update reads. "Ground crews are prioritizing work in accessible areas, and helicopters are providing overhead support." Wildfires concentrated in north Sarah Budd, a BCWS fire information officer, said that the bulk of wildfire activity was occurring in the northern half of the province, particularly the northeast corner. As of Tuesday afternoon, there were just under 70 fires burning in B.C. "In the northeast, where we have the bulk of our current fire activity, we are expecting slightly higher winds today and tomorrow," she told CBC News on Tuesday. "And with significantly higher winds on Thursday and Friday into the weekend, while we don't anticipate lightning or precipitation today or tomorrow, what we do think we're going to see is an extension of ... hot, dry, windy conditions." Both of B.C.'s "wildfires of note" — those that are particularly visible or pose a threat to public safety — are in northern B.C., the Summit Lake wildfire being one of them. The Kiskatinaw River wildfire near the B.C.-Alberta border in northeastern B.C. has led to 55 addresses being put on evacuation order, and officials say strong winds increased fire activity on that blaze. As of Tuesday afternoon, it covers an area of just under 40 square kilometres. Highway 52 East remains closed in the area due to the blaze, which is burning close to the Pembina Steeprock gas processing facility.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Alaska Highway reopened after nearby wildfire forced closure near Fort Nelson, B.C.
A wildfire burning northeast of Summit Lake, B.C. is seen in this handout image on Monday, June 2, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO — BC Wildfire Service *MANDATORY CREDIT* The stretch of the Alaska Highway near Fort Nelson, B.C., that closed Monday due to a nearby wildfire has reopened to single lane traffic. Drive BC announced the update in a post around 9:30 p.m., saying the status could change quickly depending on wildfire activity. The BC Wildfire Service says the blaze is about 26 square kilometres in size and is burning out of control about 10 kilometres northeast of Summit Lake. It is one of two 'wildfires of note' in the province and prompted the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality to issue an evacuation alert on Monday for the Tetsa River Area. The wildfire service's latest update says the so-called Summit Lake fire 'experienced significant overnight growth' between Sunday and Monday and 'continues to display aggressive fire behaviour,' growing towards Highway 97. It says the single-lane alternating traffic is now open between kilometres 580 and 589, but notes that visibility is limited in the area. The service says there are more than 70 wildfires burning in the province as of Tuesday morning, 50 per cent of which are considered out of control. This report by Brieanna Charlebois, The Canadian Press, was first published June 3, 2025.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Alaska Highway reopened after nearby wildfire forced closure near Fort Nelson, B.C.
A wildfire burning northeast of Summit Lake, B.C. is seen in this handout image on Monday, June 2, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO — BC Wildfire Service *MANDATORY CREDIT* The stretch of the Alaska Highway near Fort Nelson, B.C., that closed Monday due to a nearby wildfire has reopened to single lane traffic. Drive BC announced the update in a post around 9:30 p.m., saying the status could change quickly depending on wildfire activity. The BC Wildfire Service says the blaze is about 26 square kilometres in size and is burning out of control about 10 kilometres northeast of Summit Lake. It is one of two 'wildfires of note' in the province and prompted the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality to issue an evacuation alert on Monday for the Tetsa River Area. The wildfire service's latest update says the so-called Summit Lake fire 'experienced significant overnight growth' between Sunday and Monday and 'continues to display aggressive fire behaviour,' growing towards Highway 97. It says the single-lane alternating traffic is now open between kilometres 580 and 589, but notes that visibility is limited in the area. The service says there are more than 70 wildfires burning in the province as of Tuesday morning, 50 per cent of which are considered out of control. This report by Brieanna Charlebois, The Canadian Press, was first published June 3, 2025.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Blaze forces Alaska Highway closure as B.C. wildfire season ramps up
Plumes of smoke from a wildfire designated "G90413" are shown from the air near Summit Lake in a Monday, June 2, 2025, handout photo. (B.C. Wildfire Service) Fire season is ramping up in British Columbia as the province's wildfire service warns of hot, dry and windy conditions in the forecast. The service's latest bulletin says the combination of factors is likely to intensify fire behaviour this week, especially in areas experiencing prolonged drought. It says that includes the northeastern corner of the province, where most of the active and out-of-control blazes in B.C. are currently located. The service has added a second blaze in northern B.C. to its list of so-called wildfires of note, saying the Summit Lake fire has forced the closure of a stretch of Highway 97, also known as the Alaska Highway, west of Fort Nelson. The wildfire service says human activity is the suspected cause of the 21-square-kilometre blaze that was discovered last Wednesday. It has prompted the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality to issue an evacuation alert for properties along the highway between Steamboat and Summit Lake, meaning any residents must be prepared to leave on short notice. The blaze is one of 70 active wildfires across the province, with just over half classified as burning out of control. The service says drought conditions, dry weather and strong winds led to 'significant' growth of the Summit Lake fire overnight Sunday into Monday. It says the blaze has been displaying 'aggressive fire behaviour' as it grows southeast towards the highway, which is closed between Steamboat and Toad River. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 2, 2025. Brenna Owen, The Canadian Press
CTV News
4 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Blaze forces Alaska Highway closure as B.C. wildfire season ramps up
Plumes of smoke from a wildfire designated "G90413" are shown from the air near Summit Lake in a Monday, June 2, 2025, handout photo. (B.C. Wildfire Service) Fire season is ramping up in British Columbia as the province's wildfire service warns of hot, dry and windy conditions in the forecast. The service's latest bulletin says the combination of factors is likely to intensify fire behaviour this week, especially in areas experiencing prolonged drought. It says that includes the northeastern corner of the province, where most of the active and out-of-control blazes in B.C. are currently located. The service has added a second blaze in northern B.C. to its list of so-called wildfires of note, saying the Summit Lake fire has forced the closure of a stretch of Highway 97, also known as the Alaska Highway, west of Fort Nelson. The wildfire service says human activity is the suspected cause of the 21-square-kilometre blaze that was discovered last Wednesday. It has prompted the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality to issue an evacuation alert for properties along the highway between Steamboat and Summit Lake, meaning any residents must be prepared to leave on short notice. The blaze is one of 70 active wildfires across the province, with just over half classified as burning out of control. The service says drought conditions, dry weather and strong winds led to 'significant' growth of the Summit Lake fire overnight Sunday into Monday. It says the blaze has been displaying 'aggressive fire behaviour' as it grows southeast towards the highway, which is closed between Steamboat and Toad River. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 2, 2025. Brenna Owen, The Canadian Press
