It’s another tough start to the wildfire season up in BC’s northeast region.
The BC Wildfire Service currently has its hands full with a cluster of wildfires southwest of Dawson Creek along Highway 52.
The worst one is out of control and is 185 hectares in size.
Fire officials say the blaze is likely caused by humans.
Firefighters and helicopters are working together to suppress the wildfires and resources are being shared through incidents.
Southwest winds are pushing the fire toward Highway 52 North, and there is potential for impacts to the roadway. The road was closed briefly before re-opening Brassey Road and Bearhole Lake Road.
✅CLEAR #BCHwy52N – Now OPEN, both directions, between Brassey Rd and Bearhole Lake Rd. #YDQ #DawsonCreek #TumblerRidge #HeritageHwy https://t.co/W8xiEJqlE9
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) May 2, 2025
The three other fires in the cluster are being held.
In addition, a 56-hectare fire in the Fish Creek Community Forest in the north portion of Fort St. John is also out of control.
Fire Information Officer, Karley Desrosiers told Vista Radio the quick activity led to the brief evacuation of 19 properties.
“Yesterday, where the fire started, the RCMP did a tactical evacuation of a nearby subdivision where the first started. Those residents were told they were safe to return home and at no point was there an evacuation order or alert issued by the Peace River Regional District or the City of Fort Saint John.”
“We are looking at eight to nine degrees above what we would expect this time of year and is incredibly dry with humidity below 10% which is unusual.”
The City of Fort St. John issued a bulletin yesterday (Thursday) that the ESS Reception Centre at the Pomeroy Sports Centre has closed.
It is not currently threatening any structures as it moves beyond the Community Forest into the Peace River Regional District.
Twelve firefighters along with two helicopters and an air tanker group are responding to the fire.
Desrosiers encourages people in the area to exercise their common sense by being fire-smart this weekend to avoid any further stress.
“I strongly advise people to avoid any opening burning as the conditions are not conducive to safe open burning. I would ask people to avoid that if possible and again when recreating do not leave a campfire unattended and do not park your vehicle along the side of a highway or an off-road vehicle in tall grass. The grass is very dry and grass fires can start rather quickly.”
Both the RCMP and local fire crews are investigating eight fires that were intentionally set between February 22nd and April 27th.
Three fires were reported at Kin Park, two at Surerus Ball Diamonds, while the other three were at different locations in the city.
Witnesses told police that several youths were seen this past weekend in the Kin Park area allegedly lighting fires near the Pump Track.
“While there have been no reported injuries, these types of incidents pose a significant risk to the public and a significant cost to the citizens of Fort St. John,” said Sgt Dwayne Croll, Operations NCO, Fort St John RCMP.
“The recent increase in arson-related fires in our community’s recreational areas is a serious concern. We encourage all residents to remain alert and report any suspicious activity to authorities. We also ask parents and guardians to speak with their children about the importance of fire safety. Keeping Fort St. John safe is a responsibility we all share,” said Matt Troiano, Deputy Fire Chief.
The Fort St. John RCMP are seeking witnesses to come forward with any information regarding these fires that have targeted recreational areas.
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