Latest news with #northeasternBC
CBC
24-06-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Northeast B.C. man looks to pick up the pieces after Pocket Knife Creek wildfire destroys his home
Social Sharing A man in northeastern B.C. is picking up the pieces and looking to rebuild after a wildfire destroyed his home. The Pocket Knife Creek wildfire is now classified by the B.C. Wildfire Service as "being held," but not before flames ripped through Chuck Ashdown's home south of Fort Nelson, B.C., more than 1,500 kilometres northeast of Vancouver, earlier this month. Ashdown, who has lived in the Fort Nelson area all of his life, posted photos of the burned remains of his home on social media. "The Pocketknife Fire got me," the message said. "Lost my home, but everyone is safe." He told CBC's Radio West that he left his home with his mother on June 8 prior to an evacuation order related to the fire, which had grown to more than 600 square kilometres in size. He said he started driving when it was daylight and "the smoke got so bad it was pitch dark." He said he could see flames moving eastward in the direction of his house. Ashdown travelled to Fort Nelson to drop off his mother, then headed back home to gather his belongings. By that time, he said, the fire had crossed the highway and eventually blocked the access road to his cabin. He said smoky conditions prevented him from returning to the property until June 14. "The heart sank, that's for sure," he said, remembering his reaction when he saw the charred wreckage of his house, a shower house, and two wood sheds. He was thankful, however, that not everything was lost, as a tool shed and an old trapper's cabin survived. "My outhouse didn't get hit, which is always a bonus there, I guess," he said with a laugh. Lost along with the house were family keepsakes, he said, and all of his clothes. Ashdown said he's staying with his mother in Fort Nelson and plans to move into the trapper's cabin that survived the fire. He said his parents first bought the place in 1989. He described it as "heaven on earth," a solar-powered home with an "80-kilometre view from the front steps," two wood stoves, and a satellite TV. The Pocket Knife Creek wildfire was downgraded last week from a wildfire of note, meaning fires that are highly visible or a threat to communities, to being held following a dump of rain in northeastern B.C. Similarly, the Summit Lake Wildfire and Kiskatinaw River fire are no longer considered wildfires of note, although the Summit Lake blaze is still labelled as burning out of control. The B.C. Wildfire Service had said up to 100 millimetres of rain in some areas has significantly reduced wildfire activity, and more wet weather is in the forecast. Ashdown said wildfires have threatened his home in the past, including the 2023 Donnie Creek wildfire, the largest ever recorded in the province's history. "This was the fourth time in the last six years that I've been evacuated from that house," he said. He said he plans to rebuild. "[There are] just so many memories there," he said. "My dad passed away there, actually. And just so many memories of hunting, trapping, fishing. If I can clean it up and rebuild, I'm definitely going to give it a try."
CTV News
20-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Wildfire of note downgraded in B.C., remains burning out of control
The Pocket Knife Creek wildfire south of Fort Nelson, B.C., seen in this handout photo on Wednesday, June 10, 2025, is now classified as "being held" and is not expected to grow outside its current perimeter. (The Canadian Press / Handout / BC Wildfire Service) A recent soaking of rain in northeastern British Columbia has helped to remove the one remaining fire out of the so-called wildfire of note category, although the Summit Lake blaze is still labelled as burning out of control. Two other wildfires of note, meaning they are highly visible or a threat to communities, were also taken off that list this week. The Kiskatinaw River fire and the Pocket Knife Creek wildfire, were also both downgraded after being deemed 'held.' The BC Wildfire Service has said up to 100 millimetres of rain in some areas has significantly reduced wildfire activity and more wet weather is in the forecast. That area in northeastern B.C. has had repeated years of drought and the most recent drought map puts the level at three on a scale of five, which means conditions are still severely dry. There are about 80 fires currently burning in B.C., most of which are in the northeast and more than 80 per cent are believed to have been caused by lightning. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025.
Globe and Mail
19-06-2025
- Climate
- Globe and Mail
B.C. downgrades status of two major wildfires in northeast
Two of the three most significant wildfires in British Columbia have been downgraded and are no longer considered fires of note. They include the 263-square-kilometre Kiskatinaw River wildfire in northeastern B.C., which was deemed on Wednesday to be no longer out of control. The Pocket Knife Creek wildfire northwest of Fort. St. John, the biggest blaze in B.C. at more than 1,500 square kilometres, has also lost wildfire-of-note status, having earlier been removed from the out-of-control stage. Both fires are now considered to be held, meaning they aren't expected to grow beyond current perimeters, as fire crews get support from heavy rain in northeastern B.C. Outdated forestry rules increase wildfire risk, B.C. Forest Practices Board says That leaves the 800-square-kilometre Summit Creek wildfire burning out of control in the northeast as the province's only fire of note – indicating that either homes are threatened or it's highly visible. The BC Wildfire Service says there is a risk of thunderstorms across central and northern B.C. on Thursday, but the province will see cooler temperatures starting Friday and into the weekend with some areas expected to get heavy rain. There are currently about 85 wildfires actively burning in B.C.
CTV News
07-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
‘Extreme fire behaviour' possible in northeast B.C., with dozens of homes evacuated
Strong winds could make an already dire situation even worse in northeastern B.C. where wildfires have forced dozens of homes to evacuate. 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.
CTV News
06-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Evacuation orders for northeast B.C. wildfire
A raging wildfire is spreading rapidly in northeastern B.C., threatening several homes and prompting evacuation orders.
