PRRD looks to create ‘resiliency centre’ as it maintains wildfire evacuation orders and alerts

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — As wildfires continue to burn in the Peace region, the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) is preparing to create a ‘resiliency centre’ in Dawson Creek.

As of the latest update, posted to the PRRD website on Thursday, June 12th, evacuation orders one to five and evacuation alerts five to seven remain in effect as a result of the Kiskatinaw River wildfire.

Evacuation orders one to three and alerts two and three are also still in effect for the Pocket Knife Creek fire, as is evacuation alert number one for the Alces River fire.

The PRRD says it continues to work closely with the unified command of the BC Wildfire Service, Alberta Wildfire and the County of Grande Prairie on “specific cross-border incidents” while also coordinating on other wildfires in the region.

“Today (June 12th), we are also focused on working with community partners to prepare a Resiliency Centre in the Dawson Creek area, which will bring essential supports and services to evacuated residents in the days ahead,” the latest Emergency Operations Centre update reads.

The Kiskatinaw River fire currently sits at roughly 26,628 hectares in size, and the PRRD says it’s been confirmed that the fire has crossed into Alberta.

Some structural damage has also taken place in the B.C. community of Kelly Lake, although the full extent of that damage will remain unknown until ground access is safe.

The PRRD says suppression efforts remain active on both sides of the provincial border, and no re-entry into the areas under evacuation orders is currently permitted. 

No timeline was given for when the current evacuation orders will be lifted. DriveBC also says Highway 52 is closed in both directions between One Island Lake Road and Hiding Creek Road due to the fire.

Meanwhile, the Pocket Knife Creek wildfire now sits at 151,845 hectares in size, making it one of the largest in the province.

In addition to the PRRD’s evacuation orders and alerts, Prophet River First Nation is also conducting voluntary evacuations for vulnerable members.

Area restrictions are in place on Crown land in the Peace region to support fire suppression efforts. DriveBC is also warning of low visibility along Highway 97 in the area of the fire due to smoke, although the road is open.

Elsewhere, the Alces River fire has been reclassified by the BC Wildfire Service from ‘out of control’ to ‘being held.’

That means it’s not expected to expand beyond its current boundaries for now.

Energeticcity.ca’s full wildfire coverage can be found here.