Wildland firefighters are preparing for a difficult weekend in northeastern British Columbia as strong winds push flames closer to the small community of Kelly Lake, located about 80 kilometers south of Dawson Creek. The Kiskatinaw River fire has been burning since early August and has significantly increased in size.
Current Situation
- Fire Behavior: Strong southwest winds on Thursday pushed the fire north and south of Kelly Lake. Although the flames have not reached the community’s 75 residents, an eight- to nine-kilometer stretch has crossed into Alberta.
- Weather Forecast: A cold front is expected to begin around 5 p.m. Friday, shifting the "strong, erratic, gusty winds" that have been affecting the area since Wednesday morning. This wind shift poses a potential threat to the community north of Kelly Lake.
Firefighting Efforts
- Containment Lines: Fire crews are working closely with residents to establish containment lines ahead of the anticipated wind shift. Flames are reported to be within a kilometer or a couple of hundred meters from homes in these areas.
- Spot Fires: Crews are actively extinguishing spot fires caused by falling embers igniting shrubs and grasses. Water bombers are also deployed to drop retardant on heavily burning areas.
- Aerial Support: Video footage shared online shows aerial views of firefighting efforts taken shortly after midnight Thursday.
Evacuation Orders
- The Peace River Regional District issued an urgent message late Thursday, urging all residents under evacuation orders to leave immediately, as the advancing wildfire cannot be contained.
- A reception center set up at Dawson Creek Secondary School has seen hundreds check in overnight, with numbers continuing to climb throughout Friday. However, evacuee information is not tracked until individuals check into the center unless directly asked by authorities.
Additional Fires in the Region
- Crews are also battling other blazes across the region, including the Sundance Lake wildfire northeast of Fort Nelson. This prompted the Peace River Regional District to issue an emergency alert, warning residents along the highway to prepare for a quick evacuation if necessary due to limited access roads.
- Despite hot conditions, reports indicate very little growth of the fires occurred overnight.
Logistics
- Bulk fuel tankers carrying diesel fuel are returning westbound via Highway #97 North to their base camp near Puntzi Mountain, which is approximately halfway between Williams Lake and Bella Coola. Empty tanker trucks are parked roadside, waiting to load additional supplies later tonight before departing tomorrow morning.
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