Kiskatinaw River wildfire area restriction reduced

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — An area restriction around one of the province’s former ‘wildfires of note’ in the northeast has been reduced due to favourable weather conditions. 

According to an evening press release on July 21st, the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) is amending the area restriction around the Kiskatinaw River wildfire.

The restriction has been in place since June 17th, when the blaze was considered a ‘wildfire of note’ and had grown to approximately 26,600 hectares. 

Evacuation alerts and orders issued by the Peace River Regional District and the County of Grande Prairie, Alberta were active due to the wildfire between May 29th and June 19th, alongside road closures of the nearby Highway 52. 

“Recent weather conditions have bolstered the hard work by firefighters, heavy equipment and aerial resources,” BCWS stated. 

“The area restriction in place for this wildfire is being reduced in size, but there is still a continued need to protect the public in areas where ongoing fire suppression activities are taking place.”

The restriction applies only to Crown land, and individuals must not remain in or enter restricted areas “without prior written authorization.”

The only people exempt from this are those travelling to or from their residence, using a highway, acting in an official capacity and entering for an approved purpose such as wildfire suppression.

Anyone found in the restricted region not for one of these reasons may face a violation ticket of $1,150.

As of July 22nd, the wildfire is classified as ‘being held,’ meaning it is not expected to grow beyond its current fire perimeter, and stands at 26,277 hectares in size.