Merged wildfire cluster along Highway 52 brought ‘under control’

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — A cluster of fires which merged into one 267-hectare blaze along Highway 52 is now ‘under control.’

First reported on April 30th as a cluster of five wildfires alongside the highway toward Tumbler Ridge, the flames went on to merge and damage fibre-optic cables and cause a communications outage.

Crews from the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) now say the fire, which is about 7.3 kilometres southeast of Coldstream Creek between Brassey Road and Bearhole Lake Road, is ‘under control.’

This means it is “not projected to spread beyond the current perimeter.” 

According to DriveBC, Highway 52 is now open in both directions, but drivers are advised to watch for traffic control. 

On its website, the BCWS says people near Highway 52 may continue to see smoke within the fire perimeter.

However, any smoke coming from “green, unburned areas or outside the known perimeter” should be reported immediately using 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on a cellphone.