Latest news with #KiskatinawRiver
Globe and Mail
15 hours 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they aren't expected to grow beyond current perimeters, as fire crews get support from heavy rain in northeastern B.C. Outdated forestry rules increase wildfire risk, B.C. Forest Practices Board says That leaves the 800-square-kilometre Summit Creek wildfire burning out of control in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
15 hours 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
4 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Rain calms central Alberta wildfires, doesn't hit north or south
A forest is scorched after the Kiskatinaw River wildfire burned through an area along the B.C.-Alberta border. (B.C. Wildfire Service) There are 56 active wildfires burning in the province as of Monday afternoon. 23 of the fires are classified as out-of-control. Melissa Story with Alberta Wildfire said fire danger has lowered all across the province. 'The rain was helpful in lowering fire behaviour as well as the fire danger,' said Story. 'However, we didn't see the amount of rain that we needed in the northern and southern parts of the province.' But with showers forecasted for the week, she's hopeful the High Level and Calgary forest areas will get a good soak. Fires in the Slave Lake, Lac La Biche and Grande Prairie forest areas are still considered out-of-control despite getting rain over the weekend. Story said it will 'take some time' before their status changes. Story said crews are keeping a closer eye on the Sousa Creek wildfire in northern Alberta as it didn't get as much rain as other parts of the province and is close to the communities of Chateh High Level and Rainbow Lake. 'We're doing everything we can to contain that wildfire,' said Story. Several wildfires that make up the Red Earth East Complex in the Slave Lake forest area received a good dose of rain over the last few days. 'Firefighters were making great progress on those fires,' said Story. 'They are of significant size, so they will take some time to get to an extinguished status … We're hopeful that some of these communities can return home soon.' Other wildfires of note A 21,000-hectare wildfire continues to burn 30 kilometres north of Manning. Cooler temperatures and rainy conditions have slowed fire growth. Highway 35 is open between Hawk Hills and Keg River with speed reductions in place due to decreased visibility with smoke conditions. Twin Lakes Provincial Recreation Area still remains closed at this time. The Blue Sky wildfire north of Marten Beach is still classified as out of control, but did receive a significant amount of rain. Helicopters and airtankers are working to contain the fire by dumping buckets of water along the perimeter of the blaze. Highway 88 is open but smoky conditions may reduce visibility. Firefighters have made significant progress on containing the Tulip Lake wildfire near Fort Fitzgerald and Fort Smith. The fire is still classified as out of control. Kiskatinaw River Wildfire The Kiskatinaw River Wildfire burning along the B.C.-Alberta border. (B.C. Wildfire Service) The Kiskatinaw River wildfire on the B.C.-Alberta border is still considered out of control and is estimated to be 26,627 hectares in size. Alberta Wildfire, B.C. Wildfire Service and the County of Grande Prairie are coordinating response efforts. Showers on the Caribou Lake wildfire are reducing fire behaviour on the 69,307-hectare blaze. It is still classified as out of control. Fire bans Because of the wet weather, many fire bans in the province have been lifted. There are still bans in place for the High Level and Calgary forest areas. 63 per cent of wildfires in the province are caused by humans, Story said. You can find a complete and updated list of current fire bans here.
CBC
4 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Kiskatinaw River fire stable after weekend rainfall, evacuation orders still in place
Social Sharing The B.C. Wildfire Service says the Kiskatinaw River fire in the province's northeast has stabilized thanks to rain over the weekend. B.C. Wildfire Service fire behaviour analyst Neal McLoughlin said in a video post on Sunday that a low-pressure system had moved into the region, bringing cloudy skies and soaking rain, with 10 millimetres of rainfall on Saturday and another 12 millimetres on Sunday. McLoughlin said the change in weather has helped reduce fire activity for the Kiskatinaw River Wildfire, located nearly 60 kilometres southeast of Dawson Creek, B.C. The B.C. Wildfire Service says the fire is now measured at more than 266 square kilometres and is considered an out-of-control wildfire of note. McLoughlin warns that northeastern B.C. has experienced years of drought, and while the rain improves firefighting conditions, the landscape is still receptive to fire. Multiple evacuation orders and alerts issued by the Peace River Regional District due to the Kiskatinaw River wildfire remain in effect. There are three significant wildfires in B.C.'s northeast, including the Kiskatinaw River fire, Summit Lake and the Pocket Knife Creek wildfire, which is more than 1,500 square kilometres big. Officials say it has grown significantly since merging with another fire on June 8. The Dryden Creek wildfire near Squamish, B.C., was declared as being held on Saturday as officials reported the rain helped improve fire conditions. The District of Squamish said it has held steady at 0.6 square kilometres in size since Friday.
