‘Challenging’: 70kmph winds expected to drive ‘extreme wildfire behaviour’ over weekend

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The upcoming weekend of wildfire activity in northeast B.C. is anticipated to be “challenging” due to the increasing temperatures and strong winds. 

That’s the update from the BC Wildfire Service’s (BCWS) Prince George Fire Centre, which issued a press release on June 4th urging residents of the Fort St. John, Dawson Creek and Fort Nelson fire zones to follow all relevant evacuation orders and alerts.

It said the weather forecasts – including high winds of 70kmph on Friday, June 6th and Sunday, June 8th into Monday, June 9th – are expected to cause “extreme fire behaviour.”

There is also forecast to be thunderstorms on Sunday. 

The fire centre expects all this could drive eastwards growth of all fires in the regions, including significant incidents near the Kiskatinaw River, near Summit Lake and in Pocket Knife Creek. 

The Kiskatinaw River and Summit Lake blazes have already prompted evacuation alerts and orders. 

There is also an increased potential for new starts from ‘overwintering’ fires, particularly in the Fort Nelson fire zone, the fire centre said. 

Overwintering fires ignited in a previous wildfire season and smouldered underground during the winter before reigniting in the next season.

Roads may be impacted as these wildfires develop – visit Drive BC for the latest updates.