Wildfire near Doig River First Nation is now listed as ‘out,’ says the BC Wildfire Service

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A wildfire reported by BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) in May near Doig River First Nation (DRFN) is now listed as ‘out.’

When first discovered on May 12th, the flames spread quickly, growing to 650 hectares and prompting evacuation orders from the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) and DRFN council.

The BCWS says the suspected cause of the fire was human activity.

Evacuees headed to Fort St. John, Dawson Creek and other communities, with the orders being rescinded on May 20th. 

On an appearance on This Week in the Peace on May 24th, DRFN Chief Trevor Makadahay told Tre Lopushinsky that preparedness assisted DRFN in getting residents out of the community.

Makadahay added in the interview that DRFN spent $750,000 on SmartFire planning for approximately 60 hectares, adding the total price for measures could equal $1 million.

Methods included mulching to ensure space between trees, with the mulch mixed with dirt to prevent fire from spreading.

“The river was on the back part of one of our fire-smarted sections, in the area behind Jack Pine there’s a real steep slope,” said Makadahay. “It would burn, but it would burn slowly.”

The Prince George Fire Centre says there are still a dozen wildfires across the region, mostly holdovers from 2023.