‘Extreme fire behaviour' possible in northeast B.C., with dozens of homes evacuated
Wildfires have forced the evacuation of dozens of homes in northeastern B.C., and many other people are preparing to leave if needed.
Officials are warning high winds this weekend mean there's a potential for what they call 'extreme fire behaviour' in the coming days.
Dramatic scenes are unfolding in the Peace region, as fire crews in helicopters attempt to protect homes and other buildings in the mostly Cree community of Kelly Lake, where all residents have been ordered to evacuate due to the Kiskatinaw River fire.
'I'm an optimist,' Kelly Lake and Cree woman Shelley Calliou told CTV News on Friday while temporarily relocated to a Dawson Creek hotel.
'I wanted to believe in my heart that our community that was built by our resilient ancestors, you know, would be protected, that we would have those homes to go back to. And currently, as far as I'm aware, those homes are still standing.'
Calliou outlined her dramatic escape – with her family given just two hours to pack what they could carry as Mounties went to each property to inform people of the order to leave. She said beyond the family home, she is concerned about damage to the surrounding terrain, where her family has lived for generations.
'These are peoples' homes,' Peace River South B.C. Conservative MLA Larry Neufeld told CTV News on Friday when describing his level of concern, given the situation.
'This is their community and to be displaced from your community due to a wildfire is a tragic event, and I know the province is doing the best they can. I would very much like to express my gratitude to the firefighters. They've done an amazing job.'
The fire has already crossed the border into Alberta, and a cold front is arriving.
'Extreme fire behaviour is expected over the next couple of days throughout the northeastern region of the fire centre,' said Casda Thomas, a fire information officer with the Prince George Fire Centre.
'There are very strong winds forecast for today and Sunday.'
The provincial government will provide a seasonal emergency preparedness update on Monday, which could offer some insight into what could be coming during this drought and fire season.
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