Municipality of French River

West Kiskatinaw River Wildfire - Updates | News Alerts | Media Releases 

BC Wildfire Service | EmergencyInfoBC | Business Resources | Area Restriction

West Kiskatinaw Wildfire – Evacuation Alert Cancelled. Open Burning Ban Still in Effect.

Tuesday 4 July 2023 - 2:30 PM

Following the recommendation from our partners at the BC Wildfire Service, the Evacuation Alert for the West Kiskatinaw Wildfire is cancelled effective July 4^th, 2023, at 2:30pm. 

Please note that an Evacuation Alert or Order may need to be reissued if the wildfire situation changes or worsens; however, if that is deemed necessary, a new Evacuation Alert or Order process will be started.

More information on emergency planning and how to get prepared for an emergency can be found at www.preparedbc.ca.

Residents are reminded that there is still an open burning ban in effect for the District of Tumbler Ridge and surrounding area.  This prohibition will remain in effect until 12:00 (noon) on Sunday, October 15, 2023 or until it is rescinded. Prohibitions apply to all public and private lands, and include Category 1 (campfires), Category 2 and Category 3 fires as defined in the Wildfire Regulations.   More information on current bans and restrictions can be found here.

The District of Tumbler Ridge extends its gratitude to the community for their understanding and cooperation throughout this unparalleled event.

Heading Home Guide

Please click here to download the Tumbler Ridge Heading Home Guide.

EVACUATION ORDER RESCINDED

Effective 10:00 am, June 15, 2023

The Evacuation Order, pursuant to Section 12 (1) of the BC Emergency Program Act issued June 8, 2023 for the District of Tumbler Ridge is hereby rescinded. An Evacuation Alert remains in place for the area identified in yellow on the included map. The Evacuation Alert will remain in effect indefinitely and residents are reminded to be ready to evacuate the area with little notice should the need be determined.

Travel routes for returning residents will be Highway 52N, Highway 29S, and Highway 52E via the Kelly Lake Road. Highway 52E will remain closed from Highway 52E to the One Island Lake Road. These travel routes are subject to change and evacuees are urged to check DriveBC.ca for the most up-to-date information. Returning Evacuees that require transportation back to Tumbler Ridge from Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, or Chetwynd are directed to contact the Fort St. John ESS Reception Centre at 250-794-3310. You need to call by NOON in order to book a place on the bus for today.

ATTENTION

ESS Hours for Tuesday, June 13

Evacuations are stressful and challenging, physically, mentally and emotionally. It is important to ensure you are looking out for your health during these times. Here are some resources:

- Disaster Pyschosocial Services are available at Emergency Support Services Reception Centres during the hours the Reception Centres are open.
- Canadian Red Cross 
- Canadian Mental Health Association

Don't forget to check on your friends, family and neighbours.

If residents have care or retrieval requests for their pets they can call the SPCA Helpline at 1-855-622-7722 who will assist. Permitting has been approved for the SPCA to enter Tumbler Ridge.   

 There are four unit crews and initial attack crews assigned to the South Peace Complex

 There are currently 8 helicopters assigned to this incident

The Structure Protection team (60 people) is continuing work on the upper bench (120 properties protected along with some District infrastructure)

 Crews are continuing to use the favourable weather to do containment work such as building guards

Saturday 10 June 2023
Time: 4:30 PM - TEMPORARY ENTRY PERMIT PROCESS IN PLACE FOR PRRD AND TUMBLER RIDGE

Saturday 10 June 2023
Time: 1:15 PM - Safety Notice

Safety First

Emergency Response  

Unpredictable Nature of Wildfires

Saturday 10 June 2023
Area restriction in effect for the vicinity of South Peace Complex

The BC Wildfire Service is implementing an Area Restriction Order for the vicinity of the South Peace Complex, located 21 kilometres east of Tumbler Ridge and 44 kilometres southwest of Dawson Creek. This complex is managing the Peavine Creek (G70644) and West Kiskatinaw (G70645) wildfires. The size of the area restriction reflects the continued need to protect the public in areas where there are ongoing fire suppression activities and hazardous fire behaviour conditions.

This order takes effect at 12 p.m. (PDT) on June 10, 2023, and will remain in force until September 30, 2023, or until it is otherwise rescinded. The order applies to crown land within the geographic boundary outlined below and shown on the provided map.

Saturday 10 June 2023
Time: 8:30 AM  - Overview

The current size of the fire is 23,000 hectares. The wind has calmed down and with the slight precipitation a higher humidity is left in the air. Given the clearer conditions, the six helicopters assigned to the South Peace Complex will be more active today, building on the work they started yesterday.  Establishing guards and containment lines to protect Tumbler Ridge. Fire status

W KISKATINAW RIVER Prince George Fire Centre Fire Number: G70645 Discovered On: Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at 12:40:33 PM Last Updated: Friday, June 9, 2023, at 8:18:33 PM Active Evacuation Orders and Alerts West Kiskatinaw River Wildfire (Issued By: District of Tumbler Ridge) on Thursday at 2 pm Residents and Evacuation

• Evacuation has been smooth with evacuees leaving as requested. Data indicate approximately 5% of the population did not follow the evacuation order. 
• RCMP continues to patrol the residential areas. Police checkpoints and signs have been installed at the main entry points into town. 
• Reception Centres – By late Thursday three Emergency Support Service (ESS) were open to receive evacuees with Dawson Creek and Chetwynd experiencing huge demand and reaching capacity early. Fort St John is the priority Centre.
  1. Fort St John: Pomeroy Sport Centre on 9324 96 St John (250) 794-3310
  2. Dawson Creek: OVINTIV Centre #1-300 Highway 2
  3. Chetwynd: District Town Hall Hospital Rd, Chetwynd

Resource:

• 60+ Firefighters from multiple towns in Tumbler Ridge
• 3 Structure Protection Specialists are here, with 2 more arriving today (Saturday)
• 2 more Structure Protection units plus a Type 1 Structure Protection Unit have arrived. All of the Type 1 structure protection units are initially located and stocked out of the Provincial Equipment Depot in Chilliwack. When the wildfire season starts, the BC Wildfire Service strategically positions these units throughout the province in areas most threatened by wildfires
• The Structure Protection team is continuing work on the upper bench (54+ properties protected)

Communication and Liaison.

BC Wildfire Service

PRE OC (Provincial Regional Emergency Operations Centres) 

BC Forestry EMCR (Emergency Management and Climate Readiness) 

ESS Centres 

PRRD 

RCMP 

BCEHS

 There is a new unit crew arriving tonight (12 members)

 60+ Firefighters from multiple departments are in Tumbler Ridge

The Type 1 Structure Protection Unit has arrived

 The Structure Protection team is continuing work on the upper bench (54+ properties protected)

 There are 3 Structure Protection Specialists here, with 2 more arriving tomorrow

 The winds are predicted to change to north/west tomorrow and there is a chance of some precipitation

 3 Structure Protection Specialists arrived this morning to continue prepping houses on the upper bench

2 Structure Protection Units are on site today and a Type 1 (18-wheeler unit) is en route.

 The size of the fire footprint is 23,000 hectares approximately

The fire did breach the Hwy briefly near Happy Face Hill but did not go far

 6 helicopters are attached to the South Peace Complex, with varying flying conditions

 31 pieces of heavy equipment have arrived to assist in building guards

Just after 2 pm on Thursday, June 8, an evacuation order was issued for the residents of Tumbler Ridge, a community of about 2,400 people in northeastern B.C. near the Alberta border. The order was issued because of the West Kiskatinaw River Fire, which was burning out of control at 9,600 hectares as of Thursday afternoon, 10 km east of Tumbler Ridge. Residents were asked to leave and evacuate to Dawson Creek via Chetwynd on Highway 29 or Highway 52 East. The approaching fire developed and crossed the highway impacting Highway 52 North and then East. Residents were directed to evacuate via Highway 29 through to Chetwynd. Initially, two Reception Centers were mobilized in Chetwynd and Dawson Creek, with a further third centre opening up in Fort St John to help with demand. 

The RCMP, BCEHS, South Peace Search and Rescue and North Peace Search and Rescue teams mobilized and lead the door-to-door knocks with a dedicated team concentrating on the most vulnerable who needed assistance. Evacuation by residents was executed swiftly and orderly with one bus load of residents transported to Fort St John ESS. The vast majority of residents had evacuated by 10 pm leaving a core group of emergency workers, volunteers, EOC staff members, Mayor and Councillors on standby. There is a small group of individuals who refuse to leave their homes.

25 firefighters were mobilized yesterday including two (2) structural protection specialist units being deployed from nearby areas who initiated fire smarting and triaging homes. More units will be arriving today (Friday, June 9, 2023).  Emergency workers are being accommodated and housed in the local community centre and supported with food, facilities and amenities. 

BCEHS personnel have evacuated with the last residents and will not be available unless a dire emergency occurs with emergency workers.

RCMP resources remain in Tumbler Ridge and are conducting patrols for the safety and security of homes in the area. Fire Rescue services are also conducting patrols throughout the community in an effort to extinguish any spot fires started by embers falling into town.

At just after 19h00 Thursday, June 8, the wind shifted to a more NW direction which was expected to push the fire parallel to the ridge. 

At this time the fire is approximately 3 kilometres from the Tumbler Ridge Townsite and it is anticipated with a change in wind direction and cooler temperatures ground crews will be able to do more groundwork to protect homes and property.

Meteorologists predict a shift in wind direction to a NW direction for Saturday with a chance the region may see some light rain in the next 24 hrs.   

The District remains in close communication with the BC Wildfire Service and will provide information to the public as it becomes available. 

Fort St John ESS is also open at the Pomeroy Sport Centre on 9324 96 St John. (250) 794-3310 

1. Dawson Creek: OVINTIV Centre #1-300 Highway 2 FULL (as 9.00 PM)
2. Chetwynd: District Town Hall Hospital Rd, Chetwynd - FULL (as 9.00 PM)
3. Fort St John: Pomeroy Sport Centre on 9324 96 St John (250) 794-3310

Please note these telephone lines will be extremely congested. If you can check in physically that would be recommended.

• More resources are being deployed to the area
• Wildfire sprinkler specialists will be on the scene shortly for key residential areas
• There are two Reception Centres for Emergency Support Services (ESS)
  1. Dawson Creek: OVINTIV Centre #1-300 Highway 2
  2. Chetwynd: District Town Hall Hospital Rd, Chetwynd

Time: 2:07 PM - Evacuation Information

BC Emergency Alert issued by the District of Tumbler Ridge and Peace River Regional District due to wildfire.