Rain calms B.C.’s Kiskatinaw River fire near Dawson Creek, but evacuation orders continue as drought keeps region wildfire-prone, officials warn.
Rainfall Offers Relief in B.C.’s Northeast
The Kiskatinaw River wildfire, burning in northeastern British Columbia, has stabilized following a weekend of steady rain. The B.C. Wildfire Service confirmed on Sunday that low-pressure weather brought approximately 22 millimetres of rainfall over two days, calming fire behaviour near Dawson Creek.
Drought Conditions Maintain High Fire Risk
Despite the relief, officials caution that years of persistent drought have left the landscape dangerously receptive to wildfires. Neal McLoughlin, a fire behaviour analyst with the B.C. Wildfire Service, emphasized that while current weather conditions aid suppression efforts, the underlying dryness in vegetation remains a serious concern.
Location and Size of the Fire
The Kiskatinaw River fire is located roughly 60 kilometres southeast of Dawson Creek and now spans over 266 square kilometres. It remains categorized as an “out-of-control wildfire of note,” meaning it poses a potential threat to public safety and requires substantial firefighting resources.
Evacuation Orders Still Active
Evacuation orders and alerts issued by the Peace River Regional District remain in place. While no new areas have been added over the weekend, residents under alert are urged to remain ready to leave on short notice. Emergency services continue to monitor conditions closely.
Other Fires in the Region
The Kiskatinaw River fire is one of three major wildfires currently affecting northeastern B.C. The Summit Lake fire and the rapidly expanding Pocket Knife Creek wildfire—now exceeding 1,500 square kilometres after merging with another blaze—are also demanding critical attention.
Improvements in Southern B.C.
Elsewhere, the Dryden Creek wildfire near Squamish saw improved conditions, with officials declaring it “being held” as of Saturday. That fire has not grown beyond 0.6 square kilometres since Friday, demonstrating how weather can shift wildfire dynamics in localized areas.
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