Cooler weather brings slight relief, but major wildfires in northeast B.C. continue to grow out of control, threatening homes, roads, and communities.
Weather Offers Some Relief for Firefighters
Crews battling massive wildfires in northeastern British Columbia experienced a temporary break on Tuesday as cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and calmer winds eased some fire activity. However, major fires like the Kiskatinaw River, Pocket Knife Creek, and Summit Lake wildfires remain out of control, posing ongoing threats to public safety and infrastructure, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS).
Kiskatinaw River Fire Destroys Homes
The Kiskatinaw River wildfire, located roughly 60 kilometres southeast of Dawson Creek, has grown to more than 216 square kilometres. Designated a wildfire of note, the blaze has already destroyed at least seven homes and mobile units in the small community of Kelly Lake, which is home to about 70 residents. While Tuesday’s calmer conditions allowed for some strategic planning, including possible controlled ignitions, officials warned that shifting winds could reignite aggressive fire behaviour.
Pocket Knife Creek Fire Doubles in Size
Roughly 150 kilometres southwest of Fort Nelson, the Pocket Knife Creek wildfire doubled in size to 1,293 square kilometres by Tuesday. The fire’s rapid growth has triggered multiple evacuation orders and alerts across the Peace River Regional District. Highway 97 remains closed in both directions, disrupting regional transportation. While milder weather is expected to help reduce fire activity, BCWS continues to list the fire as “out of control.”
Summit Lake Blaze Remains Untouched
The Summit Lake wildfire, located over 100 kilometres west of Fort Nelson, measured 385 square kilometres on Tuesday and is expected to grow. Extreme fire behaviour and heavy smoke have kept ground crews from safely engaging in suppression activities. Officials said danger trees—fire-damaged trees at risk of falling—remain a significant hazard along nearby transportation corridors. The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality has issued an evacuation order for the Tetsa River area.
Wind Forecast Raises Concerns
Despite a short-term reprieve, BCWS warns that easterly winds and continued warm weather in the coming days could reignite extreme fire behaviour. Officials are preparing for wind gusts similar to those experienced from Thursday to Sunday last week, which reached up to 70 kilometres per hour and accelerated the fires’ spread.
Wildfire Count and Regional Impact
As of Tuesday afternoon, 88 active wildfires are burning across British Columbia, with over half classified as out of control. The situation in the northeast remains especially volatile, with continued threats to homes, roadways, and critical infrastructure. Residents are urged to monitor evacuation alerts and updates from DriveBC for travel advisories related to Highway 97.
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