Kiskatinaw River wildfire area restriction reduced again

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — An area restriction put in place for a wildfire near Dawson Creek has been adjusted thanks to favourable weather and firefighting activities. 

On August 26th, the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) issued an update to an area restriction in the area of the Kiskatinaw River wildfire near Dawson Creek. 

The area restriction was first enacted on June 17th due to the former wildfire of note, and was most recently adjusted on July 21st. 

The wildfire led to evacuation alerts and orders in the surrounding Kiskatinaw River area, Kelly Lake and across the border in Grande Prairie, Alberta. 

“The area restriction in place for this wildfire is being reduced in size, but there is still a continued need to protect the public in areas where ongoing fire suppression activities are taking place,” BCWS said. 

The amended restriction comes into effect at 12 p.m. on August 26th, and is enforceable until October 15th or until BCWS announces further changes. 

The restriction only applies to Crown land within the area identified by BCWS, and individuals can be prosecuted if they remain in or enter the area “without prior written authorization.”

The only people exempt from this are those travelling to or from their residence, using a highway, acting in an official capacity and entering for an approved purpose such as wildfire suppression.

Anyone found in the restricted region not for one of these reasons may face a violation ticket of $1,150.

As of BCWS’s latest online updates on the Kiskatinaw River wildfire, the blaze is 26,195.3 hectares in size, and categorized as ‘being held,’ meaning it is expected to remain within its current fire perimeter, control line or boundary.