Wildfires prompt area restriction in Fort Nelson area

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS)  has implemented a new area restriction in the area of several wildfires west of Fort Nelson.

The area, bordering on the Northwest fire zone includes a fire located near the Ne’āh’ Conservancy Park. 

Discovered on July 14th, BCWS’ latest report indicates the fire has grown to 8,671 hectares. 

According to a release, the area restriction and its size reflect “the continued need to protect the public in areas where there are ongoing fire suppression activities and hazardous fire behaviour conditions.”

The order was brought in at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 21st, and will continue until October 15th, or when the order is rescinded.

Restrictions are to be enforced within the following areas:

Northern Boundary:

Commencing at Coordinate A (59° 22.644’N, -128° 12.997’W) a point 2.34 km south of the confluence of Deadman River with Red River at a bearing of 191 degrees, head due east 31.5 km to Coordinate B (59° 23.110’N, -127° 39.760’W) a point on west bank of the Kechika River.

East Boundary:

Follow the west bank of the Kechika River south east to Coordinate C (59° 1.328’N, -127° 23.666”W), a point on the western bank of the Kechika River.

South Boundary:

Head due west 48.79 km to Coordinate D (59° 0.652’N, -128° 14.611’W), a point along the Fire Centre boundary.

West Boundary:

Follow the Fire Centre boundary North 43.25 km to the Point of Commencement (59° 22.644’N, -128° 12.997’W).

Under the order, persons are not allowed to remain in the affected areas without the written consent of a designated official, not including the following:

• Travelling to or from a person’s residence; 
• Using a highway as defined in the Transportation Act;
• Entering the area as a person acting in an official capacity;
• Entering the area for an approved purpose of supporting wildfire suppression activities;

Failure to comply with these orders may result in fines amounting up to $1,150.

This is the third restriction within the Fort Nelson fire zone during the 2024 Wildfire Season.

In May, restrictions were put in place due to the size of the Nogah Creek and Patry Creek Wildfires, which threatened the town’s infrastructure.

Those restrictions were trimmed down in August.

The new restrictions can be seen below