Drought-stricken Peace Region submerged in growing cluster fires

A trio of wildfires in BC’s Peace Region continue to have stronghold on the area.

The Pocket Knife Creek wildfire is 156,213.6 hectares in size but officials believe the blaze is likely bigger.

On site are 70 fire personnel, seven helicopters, heavy equipment, and structure protection.

In addition, the Summit Lake wildfire has ballooned up to 85-thousand hectares.

Currently, the BC Wildfire Service is responding with an Incident Management Team, 115 firefighters, 15 aircrafts, 2 pieces of heavy equipment and 2 water tenders, and 27 structure protection personnel.

Fire Information Officer, Casda Thomas told Vista Radio the wildfires have caused havoc on those wishing to travel through Highway 97.

“Highway 97 has been intermittently open and closed. At times when it is open, we are just asking to drive with care as we do have crews on both sides of the highway as well as limited visibility.”

Thomas added while winds have died down in the Peace, the smoke, which has now reached places like PG grounds any chance of aviation activity.

“There is a new challenge as well. It may not be as gusty or windy as it was the past few days and in one sense that the smoke has offered some relief and reduced the fire behaviour but it also presents a challenge where our aircraft can’t always fly in those conditions.”

Thomas mentioned the bone dry conditions in the Peace make them vulnerable to these cluster fires.

“The northeast has some long-term drought conditions, which does affect the fire behaviour and makes it more difficult to fight. In the last few days, we have had strong winds accompanied by those stronger temperatures and the wind and dry conditions have made for extreme fire behaviour.”

The Kiskatinaw River wildfire bordering into Alberta remains at 21,679 hectares.

The response includes an Incident Management Team, 115 firefighters, 14 aircrafts, 64 pieces of heavy equipment, and 60 structure protection personnel