The next few days are critical for firefighters in the fight against the Kiskatinaw River Wildfire. The fire is burning out of control, five kilometres from the community of Kelly Lake.
The fire is 3,901 hectares is size. It’s grown into three main fingers with the northern section reaching Highway 52 on Monday night. Karley Desrosiers with the BC Wildfire Service said, “Firefighters are hoping to prevent the fire from crossing the highway.”
Crews are continuing to fight the fire on the ground and in the air. Fire protection specialists are working to prevent the fire from destroying any structures.
“A fireguard has been completed around the western section of the fire, west of Highway 52. Crews are working eastward, in the direction of the fire’s progression, to safely build control lines and minimize the risk of entrapment or other hazards,” said Desrosiers.
The winds were relatively calm on Tuesday, but there are concerns that high winds later in the week will fan the flames and move the fire closer to Kelly Lake.
Wind gusts of 50 plus kilometers per hour is expected on Thursday and that will increase to 60 km/h on Friday.
The wildfire service says there could be a significant growth in fire activity and to the size of the fire later in the week as temperatures are also expected to increase.
On Monday, the Peace River Regional District said that they are not aware of any structures that have been lost to the wildfire.
Close to 70 people have been evacuated from their homes, while Dawson Creek RCMP said that 17 people have stay behind and defied the Evacuation Order.
There is also an Evacuation Alert in effect for the area, near One Island Lake to the BC Alberta border.
