Donnie Creek wildfire grows due to planned ignitions

An aerial shot of a wildfire going through a forest with smoke billowing into the sky. — The Donnie Creek wildfire continues to grow. (BCWS, Facebook)

FORT NELSON, B.C. — The Donnie Creek wildfire continues to grow, but a lot of the growth is due to planned ignitions, according to BC Wildfire Service (BCWS).

The wildfire is now approximately 231,570 hectares. Currently, ten helicopters, 97 personnel and 19 pieces of heavy equipment are working on the Donnie Creek wildfire.

BCWS says they created a new containment line along the fire’s south flank, because the planned ignitions have been going very well and have allowed crews to work closer to the fire’s edge.

The fire continues to grow to the east as BCWS does not have crews working on the fire’s east flank at this time, as no values are at risk.

On May 28th, the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) issued an evacuation order and alert for the Donnie Creek and Tommy Lakes wildfire. On May 30th, the PRRD added new areas to the evacuation alert to include residents to the east of the fire.

The Klua Lakes wildfire, another fire in the Donnie Creek Complex, is now at approximately 30,697 hectares and remains classified as out of control.

Also on May 28th, the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (NRRM) rescinded an evacuation order for the Klua Lakes fire, and the area is now under an evacuation alert.

BCWS says the Muskwa River fire in the Donnie Creek Complex has seen some growth, and the fire service expects an updated perimeter size in the coming days.

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) issued an evacuation alert for the area on May 30th.

On Friday, another fire was discovered north of Muskwa River and is now out of control at 100 hectares. It is suspected to be human-caused.

The fire near Bear Flats discovered on Thursday grew to three hectares but is now classified as under control.

In the Prince George Fire Centre, there are currently 25 active wildfires.

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.