DAWSON CREEK -- Following recommendations from B.C. Wildfire, an Evacuation Order and Alert has been issued for the Peace River Regional District and District of Tumbler Ridge due to the West Kiskatinaw River wildfire.

The wildfire discovered Tuesday south of Dawson Creek now covers 96 square kilometres. A change in the wind direction is now pushing the fire west toward Tumbler Ridge.

The Evacuation Order is for the District of Tumbler Ridge and East including Bearhole Lake.

Anyone in the Evacuation Order area, must leave the area immediately and report to the reception centre in Chetwynd or in Dawson Creek at the Ovintiv Events Centre.

There is only one way out of Tumbler Ridge. Resident should evacuate via Highway 29. Highway 52 east and north have both been closed.

According to B.C. Wildfire, the West Kiskatinaw River wildfire poses a threat to human life.

Additional areas have been added to the Order late Thursday: they are North of the District of Tumbler Ridge municipal boundary, between Hwy 29S and Hwy 52N, including Moose Lake and Moose Lake Forestry Service Road.

The following is a summary of all the areas that are now included in Evacuation Order #3 due to immediate threat to life safety:

  • along Hwy 52E between km 220 (Cutbank Dam) and km 195
  • following the Kiskatinaw River west to south of Bearhole Lake and including Bearhole Lake Road to the District of Tumbler Ridge boundary
  • North following the Tumbler Ridge boundary to Hwy 29S, including Moose Lake and Moose Lake Forestry Service Road
  • In a northeast direction to a point of intersection at Hwy 52 N, on the east side of the Highway (Not including the highway) to the northern most intersection of the Moore road (Approx. Km 33 on Highway 52N)
  • West following Halfmoon Creek, Oetata Creek to the Kiskatinaw River to a point of intersection at the Cutbank Dam at Highway 52E.

The PRRD has also declared a State of Local Emergency for Electoral Area D.