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Kiskatinaw River Wildfire Encroaches on Kelly Lake Community

Evacuation orders are in effect after strong winds pushed flames to within a few hundred metres of the community

Overview

  • Flames were reported within a couple hundred metres of Kelly Lake as of Friday, with the wildfire covering about 119 square kilometres.
  • The Peace River Regional District ordered full evacuation of Kelly Lake after officials warned the fire flank could not be contained.
  • Fire crews have erected heavy-equipment fire guards north of the community and operated sprinkler systems to protect homes from spot fires.
  • A cold front is forecast to bring erratic, gusty southwest winds over the weekend along with rising temperatures and falling humidity that could drive more aggressive fire behaviour.
  • Provincial resources are stretched across roughly 70 active wildfires in B.C., including the 83-square-kilometre Summit Lake fire near the Alaska Highway.