Area restrictions go into place near the West Kiskatinaw and Peavine Creek wildfires

TUMBLER RIDGE, B.C. – The B.C. Wildfire Service is implementing area restrictions due to the West Kiskatinaw and Peavine Creek wildfires.

Restrictions took effect at noon on Saturday and cover an area located 21 kilometres east of Tumbler Ridge and 44 kilometres southwest of Dawson Creek. The size of the area restriction reflects the continued need to protect the public in areas with ongoing fire suppression activities and hazardous fire behaviour conditions.

The West Kiskatinaw fire is over 19,714 hectares, and the Wildfire Service says fire behaviour has decreased but is still considered a rank-four fire. On Saturday, June 10, temperatures are expected to decrease slightly from the above-seasonal temperatures. The wind has shifted to primarily west/southwest winds. This wind shift is expected to drive the West Kiskatinaw wildfire toward the east, away from the community of Tumbler Ridge. 

Ground crews, heavy equipment and structure protection personnel, are working in areas where access is not impaired by visibility and fire behaviour. 

Unit crews are assessing potential machine guard lines and identifying access routes and staging areas. A unit crew and heavy equipment continue to work on containment in the area where the fire crossed Highway 52 East. 

The Peavine Creek fire is listed at 4,500 hectares, and the wind has shifted to primarily west/southwest winds. Structure protection equipment is being established in the One Island Lake area. 

An area restriction has been implemented in the vicinity of the South Peace Complex, managing the Peavine Creek (G70644) and West Kiskatinaw (G70645) wildfires. For details and a map of the affected area, visit: https://t.co/tnGKPHzhYw #BCWildfire #TumblerRidge #DawsonCreek pic.twitter.com/vKy1KiYS2L

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) June 10, 2023

The following area will be restricted until September 30, 2023, or it is rescinded. The order applies to crown land within the geographic boundary outlined below and shown on the map provided:

• Starting at the intersection of Highway 52 (Heritage Highway) and Babcock Creek at coordinate A (54° 59.502, -120° 51.410) when heading north to Bear Hole Lake Road at coordinate B (55° 4.850, -120° 50.103) then heading east to the intersection of Bear Hole Lake Road and the Thunder Mountain Snowmobile Trail at coordinate C (55° 2.444, 120° 45.222). Then moving east along the Thunder Mountain Snowmobile Trail to coordinate D (55° 1.094, 120° 43.225) then heading east to coordinate E (55° 0.403, 120° 21.684). Heading northeasterly to coordinate F (55° 1.341, 120° 18.921) then northeasterly to coordinate G (55° 2.125, 120° 17.966). Heading north to the Kiskatinaw Forest Service Road road to coordinate H (55° 5.382, 120° 16.781) following the road up to the intersection with Kiskatinaw Forest Service Road at coordinate I (55° 7.165, 120° 14.632). Following Kiskatinaw FSR back to Highway 52 (Heritage Highway) at coordinate J (55° 7.182, 120° 13.180). Following Highway 52 south and west to the starting point at coordinate A (54° 59.502, -120° 51.410).

Under this Order and section 11(2) of the Wildfire Act, a person must not remain in or enter the restricted area without the prior written authorization of an official designated for the purposes of the Wildfire Act, unless the person enters the area only in the course of:

• (a) Travelling to or from his or her residence;
• (b) Using a highway as defined in the Highway Act;
• (c) Travelling through or entering the area as a person acting in an official capacity; or
• (d) Travelling through or entering the area for an approved purpose of supporting wildfire suppression activities.