City of Fort St. John to investigate cause of Fish Creek Community Forest wildfire

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The City of Fort St. John says it is investigating the cause of the Fish Creek Community Forest wildfire. 

On May 2nd, the city released a statement saying it is in the early stages of investigating the blaze and the cause has yet to be determined. 

The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) suspects human activity ignited the flames.

The fire started on Thursday, May 1st at approximately 3:25 p.m. in the general area of the Fish Creek Community Forest before it moved northeast toward Cecil Lake.

BCWS says the fire is currently 56 hectares and ‘out of control.’

“At present, it is believed that no structures have been impacted,” said the release. 

The city’s fire department initially took command of the firefighting response with assistance from the District of Taylor and Charlie Lake fire departments, as well as the North Peace Regional Airport and BCWS. 

As of May 2nd, BCWS and the City of Fort St. John Fire Department are managing the fire cooperatively.

The RCMP moved people from 19 houses to the Fort St. John ESS Reception Centre for one night in the first hours of the fire as a tactical evacuation.

Evacuees were able to return home on May 2nd. 

The city says more information on the fires may be released as it becomes available. 

The RCMP requests anyone with information or video footage to contact the lead investigator, Constable Shaun Wagantall, at 250-787-8100.