Trees burned by the Bush Creek East Wildfire are seen above Little Shuswap Lake in Squilax, B.C., Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. The BC Wildfire Service has announced a five-month open fire ban covering much of the province's Interior, as fire season gets off to an early start. THE CANADIAN PRESS
Tactical evacuations are underway in northeastern British Columbia as wildfires spread through the region. The B.C. Wildfire Service is prioritizing public safety in the Peace River Regional District and the District of Chetwynd. The fire, covering about 50 hectares, has led to the closure of Highway 97.
This year's wildfire season has started early, with over 170 fires burning across British Columbia and Alberta. Both provinces have implemented fire bans. B.C. Wildfire Service has announced a five-month open fire ban, effective from May 3 to Oct. 11, covering various areas including the Kamloops fire centre. The ban prohibits Category 3 fires, including burning multiple fires simultaneously or fires exceeding specific dimensions. Grass burns larger than 0.2 hectares are also prohibited.
The bans extend to public and private lands in areas such as Lillooet, Merritt, Vernon, and Penticton fire zones. The aim is to prevent human-induced wildfires and ensure public safety amid widespread drought conditions in British Columbia.
In Alberta, wildfire officials have implemented fire restrictions across the province's forest protection area due to dry conditions. Outdoor fires and fireworks are banned on public lands, while campfires within designated fire rings in campgrounds are permitted. An emergency alert for Municipal District of Peace No. 135 in northwestern Alberta was lifted late Wednesday after firefighters contained the blaze, which had damaged several properties.
Wildfire evacuation orders or alerts have been issued in both provinces. Some have been rescinded, including an evacuation order near Cold Lake First Nations in Alberta and a wildfire evacuation alert in the town of Endako, B.C. However, an alert remains in place for the Burgess Creek wildfire in the Cariboo region of B.C., with residents advised to be prepared to leave at short notice.
The Burgess Creek fire, spanning 1,800 hectares, continues to burn out of control, while a smaller blaze threatening Endako has been contained. British Columbia has seen 177 fires this year, burning over 2,055 hectares, with 44 new fires in the third week of April. In Alberta, 205 fires have burned 755 hectares, significantly higher than the five-year average for this period, with 58 active fires.
