BCWS increasing resources on Donnie Creek wildfire

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) is increasing resources on the out-of-control Donnie Creek wildfire.

The fire is now at approximately 168,396 hectares.

Nine helicopters are assigned to the Donnie Creek Complex, which includes the Donnie Creek, Klua Lakes and Muska River wildfires.

On Wednesday, 138 crew members and 19 pieces of heavy equipment are working on the fire.

Crews are not spread across the perimeter because the fire isn’t as active in some areas. Instead, crews are focused on areas of the fire that threaten oil and gas infrastructure and cabins.

Structure protection personnel are working on how best to defend properties threatened by the fire, including sprinkler systems and other structure protection tools.

In the past day or two, BCWS says they’ve seen slightly cooler temperatures and cloud cover, reducing fire behaviour on the Donnie Creek wildfire. However, temperatures are expected to rise heading into the weekend.

BCWS is also continuing planned ignitions where feasible to remove fuels and establish containment lines, especially on the fire’s south flank.

On Sunday evening, the Peace River Regional District issued a new evacuation order and alert for the Donnie Creek and Tommy Lakes wildfire. On Tuesday afternoon, the Peace River Regional District added new areas under evacuation alert to the east of the fire.

The Klua Lakes wildfire is out of control at about 29,060 hectares, and the wildfire service continues to monitor the fire by air.

The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (NRRM) rescinded an evacuation order for the Klua Lakes fire, and the area is now under an evacuation alert.

The Muskwa River wildfire is still being held at approximately 8,856 hectares.

BCWS says the fire hasn’t seen any change in fire size or activity and continues to monitor the fire’s progress.

A human-caused fire near Tooga Creek that started on May 17th is out of control at 8,000 hectares. The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (NRRM) has issued an evacuation alert for the area.

The fire northwest of Highway 29 and Moberly Lake discovered on April 28th has been extinguished.

There are approximately nine wildfires in the Peace region.

For the latest evacuation order and alert information, visit the Peace River Regional District’s and Northern Rockies Regional Municipality’s websites.

For the latest wildfire information, visit BCWS’ website.