Prophet River First Nation announces event cancellations due to wildfires

PROPHET RIVER, B.C. — Wildfire activity has caused Prophet River First Nation (PRFN) to postpone several events scheduled this week.

A post on PRFN’s LinkedIn page on Monday, June 9th said “the current wildfire situation,” including continued smoke advisories and highway closures, is the reason for the event postponements.

It includes the formal signing of reserve additions which was to happen on Tuesday, June 10th, according to Lori Ackerman, PRFN’s chief administrative officer.

The signing was to be the formal receiving of some 919 acres bought by PRFN in 2016 from the provincial government.  

Ackerman alleges the federal government was to set aside 5,432 acres for the community at mile 233 on the Alaska Highway back when PRFN was founded in the 1970s but, due to “administrative errors,” did not do so.

They also include the Klua Lake Fish camp and the Father’s Day Handgames Tournament scheduled for June 15th.

While an update from Chief Valerie Askoty reads “Sikanni ranch remains safe,” she warned “access may soon be impacted” in a post on June 9th.

“It’s because of the smoke and the highway closures that we have to postpone it,” said Ackerman. “The highway was open, but was closed before I could get up there.”

Several fires are hampering the area, with Askoty providing daily updates to the community via social media. 

The largest in the area south of Prophet River, the Pocket Knife Creek wildfire, is currently at 129,331 hectares as of the last update from the BC Wildfire Service and is causing a closure between Sikanni Chief Road and Prophet River Sub Road.

Several other fires, including one near Fort Nelson River east of the reserve, have also caused poor air quality. 

Currently, there are no plans for when these postponed events will be made up. 

Further details can be found on PRFN’s LinkedIn page and website.