Kiskatinaw River wildfire ‘hasn’t damaged any homes or outbuildings’ in Alberta

GRANDE PRAIRIE, ALTA — The wildfire wreaking havoc near Kelly Lake has not yet damaged structures across the border in Grande Prairie.

According to an update by the Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership (GPREP) at 10 p.m. on June 10th, the Kiskatinaw River blaze has not yet damaged or destroyed any residential homes or outbuildings in the County of Grande Prairie.

The community of Kelly Lake on the B.C. side of the border has not been so lucky, with at least seven structures damaged as of June 9th. 

The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) – which is working alongside Alberta Wildfire to tackle the flames – reports the Kiskatinaw River incident has burned 21,679 hectares and is ‘out of control.’ 

It has prompted various evacuation alerts and orders in both B.C., south of Dawson Creek, and in Alberta. 

Firefighters took “full advantage” of more moderate weather conditions on June 10th, the update says, to help temper the wildfire after high winds drove growth of blazes across northeast B.C. over the weekend.

For example, it says dozer groups built a guard at the head of the fire while other teams carried out strategic hand ignition to reduce fuel and crews in helicopters performed ‘bucketing operations’ to cool hot spots.

Calgary-based energy provider ATCO temporarily shut off natural gas service to around 90 customers in the county on the afternoon of June 9th, but gas is expected to be restored to some customers today (June 11th).

According to another GPREP update on June 11th, overnight conditions reduced fire activity but heavy smoke limited visibility, impacting planned operations.

For all the latest on the forest fires in northeast B.C., click here.