Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

Donnie Creek Wildfire now the largest in B.C.'s history: Wildfire Service

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 19 Jun, 2023 10:49 AM
  • Donnie Creek Wildfire now the largest in B.C.'s history: Wildfire Service

The Donnie Creek wildfire has grown into the largest blaze ever recorded in British Columbia, BC Wildfire Service said Sunday.

The fire, which is burning south of Fort Nelson in northeastern B.C., is now estimated at more than 5,343 square kilometres in size.

It surpasses the Plateau fire that charred 5,210 square kilometres northwest of Williams Lake in 2017 and was previously considered the province's largest fire.

The Donnie Creek wildfire is one of about 80 fires burning across the province.

B.C. Wildfire Service Information Officer Marg Drysdale said crews are focused on protecting infrastructure and the Alaska Highway, but expect the blaze to continue to grow throughout the summer.

"We will have crews on it into the fall. It is an ongoing event," she said in a telephone interview.

The service lists the fire as out of control, noting that it is highly visible and may pose a threat to public safety. It said 250 BC Wildfire Service personnel, including 152 firefighters, are working to control the blaze.

"Our crews are working on areas where they believe they can have the best results and it would lessen the impact to people in infrastructure in the area," Drysdale said.

She explained the fire was started by lightning but is currently the result of about eight fires that grew quickly and merged into one blaze.

"It's really important for people right across the province to understand that we have not hit the fire season that we normally see in July and August," she said.

"We're in the middle of June. If conditions continue as they have, if we get a hot summer, we are going to see more impacts."

This comes as the Peace River Regional District cancelled its evacuation order for Trutch and the surrounding areas, meaning residents can return home.

Earlier Sunday, the district also rescinded its evacuation order for the One Island Lake community, which is impacted by the 250-square-kilometre West Kiskatinaw wildfire.

Though the district said people from that area may return home, an evacuation alert remains in place so they should continue to be prepared to leave on short notice.

MORE National ARTICLES

Tourism to kick off once again for Canada

Tourism to kick off once again for Canada
The World Travel and Tourism Council says a return of overseas visitors to Canada's biggest cities will fuel a big rebound in Canada's travel and tourism sector this year. It's predicting the industry will pump 162.6-billion dollars into the economy, up more than 17 per cent from last year.

Tourism to kick off once again for Canada

NDP names, Ravi Parmar, as candidate in by-election to fill seat held by ex-premier Horgan

NDP names, Ravi Parmar, as candidate in by-election to fill seat held by ex-premier Horgan
It issued a release saying Parmar oversaw the largest expansion in the board's history while working alongside Horgan, who stepped down as premier last year and officially resigned his legislature seat in March.

NDP names, Ravi Parmar, as candidate in by-election to fill seat held by ex-premier Horgan

Suspect facing 7 gun related charges: Richmond RCMP

Suspect facing 7 gun related charges: Richmond RCMP
RCMP in B-C says one person is facing seven gun-related charges, including possession of a loaded firearm and careless storage of a firearm after the search. Police say drug-related charges are pending and the suspect has been released on bail.

Suspect facing 7 gun related charges: Richmond RCMP

Delta Police investigate home invasion

Delta Police investigate home invasion
The Delta Police Department says officers responded to a call on Friday in the 43-hundred block of Cormorant Drive in Tsawwessen. Two people who had been assaulted during the home invasion were taken to the hospital with injuries.

Delta Police investigate home invasion

Father and son stabbed at Surrey Memorial Hospital on Saturday, charges laid

Father and son stabbed at Surrey Memorial Hospital on Saturday, charges laid
On Saturday, at 10:28 p.m., police received a report of a stabbing at Surrey Memorial Hospital. The initial report indicated that two people had sustained injuries and the suspect was being detained by hospital security.

Father and son stabbed at Surrey Memorial Hospital on Saturday, charges laid

Man and woman face murder charges in death of Maple Ridge man Surinderjit Singh

Man and woman face murder charges in death of Maple Ridge man Surinderjit Singh
The province's Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says 33-year-old Kimberley Buitenweg and 44-year-old Joseph McWilliam were arrested on Friday and charged with second-degree murder in the death of Surinderjit “Jack” Singh. 

Man and woman face murder charges in death of Maple Ridge man Surinderjit Singh