Evacuation orders and alerts issued as northeastern B.C. wildfires spread
The Donnie Creek wildfire burning north of Fort St. John, B.C. has grown to nearly 136,000 hectares, or 1,360 square kilometres, after high temperatures and winds Saturday caused the fire to spread, according to BC Wildfire Service.
As a result, many are being told to leave their homes. A previous evacuation alert has been upgraded to an evacuation order, and the areas under evacuation alert have expanded.
The Peace River Regional District issued an evacuation order Sunday morning for the following areas:
• The area north of Grewatsch Creek on PDR 222.
• The area north of km 44 on Tommy Lakes Road.
• The area north of km 20 on PDR 204 (Beatton Airport Road).
• Extending north to the border with the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality.
Those within the evacuation area are asked to leave immediately and head toward Fort St. John.
The order does not apply to First Nations communities, as they issue their own orders and alerts, according to PRRD.
Others are being asked to prepare to leave on short notice. The evacuation alert applies to the following areas:
• One km east of Highway 97 between km 225 and km 273.
• Extending East 88 km from a point 1 km east of km 225 on Highway 97, and then extending 56 km North to the boundary of the evacuation order.
• Extending North-East from a point 1km east of km 273 on Highway 97 to the confluence of the Buckinghorse River and Medena Creek, then continuing east along the southern boundary of the evacuation order.
BC Wildfire Service says winds on Saturday pushed the fire toward stands of black spruce and higher temperatures combined with dry air contributed to “extremely vigorous” fire behaviour, including in areas near oil and gas industry camps and infrastructure.
Sunday morning brought cooler temperatures and some precipitation, but the service says “significant fire activity” is anticipated heading into this week.
It says a sunny and drying trend is continuing, with no further rain in the forecast.
The service says five 20-person crews and five helicopters are currently fighting the blaze first discovered on May 12, with lightning as the suspected cause.
The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality has also issued an evacuation order due to the out of control Klua Lakes wildfire, which has grown to 26,871 hectares. The order applies to the following area:
• Bounded on the south by the NRRM/PRRD boundary
• From a point on the west side at longitude 122 16.03W arched up to a northern point at latitude 58 17.52’N
• From a point on the east side at longitude 121 00.45W arched up to a northern point at latitude 58 17.52’N
Both fires are believed to be caused by lightning, according to BC Wildfire Service.
With files from The Canadian Press.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.