Smoke warning issued as firefighting continues north of Fort St. John

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — People in Fort St. John should expect to see more smoke produced by the Fish Creek wildfire this evening. 

That’s the prediction of the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), which said warm and dry conditions may cause unburnt fuel pockets to ignite and more smoke to become more visible.

“Fire activity is expected to increase throughout the day, particularly during peak afternoon temperatures,” the BCWS report reads. 

Listed as ‘out of control,’ the fire began on May 1st in an area of Fish Creek Community Forest. It grew to 110 hectares before it was brought down to 56 hectares by BCWS crews and firefighters from Fort St. John, Taylor and Charlie Lake. 

Nineteen households were forced to evacuate yesterday, but they could return today (May 2nd) when the fire shifted away from Fort St. John and there was no structural damage found.

The firefighters are now working in “steep and challenging terrain” to quell the flames north of Fort St. John, the BCWS said.

It reported crews are delivering water to the fire’s edge via hose lines, while helicopters continue “bucketing” the south end.

They will continue working overnight to take advantage of cooler temperatures and limit any more northward spread of the fire, the BCWS said.

While Friday’s temperatures were expected to reach up to 28 degrees, a cold front will pass overnight, with a west-southwest breeze of up to 50 km/h. 

Temperatures are expected to remain between seven and 11C, and fuels may stay “receptive” to fire overnight.

While temperatures are expected to cool to around a high of 17C on Saturday, dry air and strong westerly winds will persist, according to BCWS.

It concludes by saying the wildfire risk “remains high” due to the winds and low relative humidity.

The City of Fort St. John released a press release on May 2nd to say it is investigating the cause of the blaze.