Nine more northeast B.C. wildfires ‘under control’, one ‘out’: BC Wildfire Service

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Several wildfires in northeast B.C. are being subdued, according to the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS).

As of August 12th, there have been nine fires in the region which have recently been reclassified from ‘being held’ to ‘under control’. One small fire west of the Beatton River, near Fort St. John, has been declared extinguished, or ‘out’.

Wildfires that have changed classification from ‘being held’ to ‘under control’ include:

• The Fontas River fire
• The Sikanni River fire
• The Ekwan Creek fire
• The Townsoitoi Creek fire
• The Etthithun River fire, although it increased from 2,541 to 3,104 hectares (ha)
• The Chasm Creek fire, although it increased from 27 to 30.1 ha
• Another fire near Fontas River, although it increased from 7,832.5 to 8,553.9 ha
• The Heck Creek fire 
• The Dehacho Creek fire

Additionally, the Pocket Knife Creek, Kiskatinaw River and Alces River fires have decreased in size, although they have not changed classification.

The Pocket Knife and Kiskatinaw fires had once been designated ‘wildfires of note’ and caused evacuations in their surrounding areas from late May to June. 

The Alces River/Goodlow fire, located north of Fort St. John, also prompted an evacuation alert before it was lifted on June 19th.

All three fires continue to be classified as ‘being held’.

The ‘being held’ classification indicates that, based on current weather and fuel conditions, as well as the availability of firefighting resources, the fire is not expected to expand beyond its current perimeter.

The ‘under control’ classification, meanwhile, indicates the fire is fully contained and not expected to spread beyond its current perimeter.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, visit the BC Wildfire Service website or contact your local emergency authority.