Latest news with #BCWildfireService
CTV News
an hour ago
- 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
a day ago
- 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they aren't expected to grow beyond current perimeters, as fire crews get support from heavy rain in northeastern B.C. Outdated forestry rules increase wildfire risk, B.C. Forest Practices Board says That leaves the 800-square-kilometre Summit Creek wildfire burning out of control in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
a day ago
- 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
2 days ago
- 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.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
B.C.'s biggest wildfire classified as ‘being held' thanks to recent rain
The Martin Lake fire burning northwest of Tatla Lake, B.C. is seen in this handout image on Monday, June 16, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO — BC Wildfire Service **MANDATORY CREDIT** Drenching rain has helped fire crews in British Columbia's northeast get a grip on the largest wildfire burning in the province. The BC Wildfire Service says the Pocket Knife Creek wildfire northwest of Fort. St. John is now classified as 'being held' and is not expected to grow outside its current perimeter. The service says about 100 millimetres of rain in recent days has hampered the fire's growth, and more wet weather is in the forecast this week. The wildfire merged with another fire earlier this month, becoming the largest in the province at more than 1,500 square kilometres. The remaining evacuation alerts related to the wildfire were rescinded Monday, but the Peace River Regional District said new orders or alerts may be issued if the situation changes. To the south, the Cariboo Regional District issued an evacuation alert for properties near a wildfire that is burning out of control in the central Interior. The Martin Lake fire was discovered Sunday and is burning about 220 kilometres west of Williams Lake. The district says the purpose of the alert is to allow people to prepare to evacuate should it be necessary as conditions could change quickly. The wildfire service says the blaze has grown to about 290 hectares in size, and crews and aviation resources are on site trying to limit its spread. It is one of about 100 wildfires burning in B.C., many of which are situated in the province's northeast. The service says most of those fires — including the Martin Lake blaze and the Pocket Creek wildfire — are believed to have been set off by lightning, while 21 per cent are suspected to be caused by humans. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2025.
