(UPDATE) BCWS rates parts of Peace region as ‘extreme’ fire risks

Updated May 26th, 12:20 p.m.: The three areas described in this article as “extreme” fire risks have been lowered to “high risk” by the BC Wildfire Service. The surrounding area remains rated as high risk.

Original article below:

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A spot near Fort St. John is considered extremely at risk of wildfires right now by the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS).

According to the latest fire danger rating map from BCWS, an area to the east of the city has been designated as an “extreme danger,” the highest available rating.

Two other places in the Peace region – one near Halfway River and the other west of Chetwynd – have also received an extreme rating. 

Ratings are based on the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System, a national standard for denoting the risk of a wildfire starting in the area.

Those small pockets rated as extreme dangers exist within a much larger area of the Peace region rated as high-risk, including Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Fort Nelson, Chetwynd and Tumbler Ridge.

This rating update comes after an out-of-control wildfire ignited in the Redfern-Keily Provincial Park area. As per BCWS’ latest update, the fire still currently sits at 118 hectares in size.