Wildfire triggers evacuation order in BC's Peace River region

The Peace River Regional District in northeastern British Columbia has issued an evacuation order for properties threatened by an out-of-control wildfire.

The province's emergency information service said Thursday afternoon that the Kiskatinaw River fire south of Dawson Creek, measuring about 1,100 hectares, poses a threat to human life.

The evacuation order was issued for homes around Kelly Lake and areas north of Campbell Lake, west of Tent Lake, south of Twin Lakes, and east to the Alberta border.

The Peace River Regional District said people should evacuate to Dawson Creek.

The fire was burning close to the Pembina Steeprock gas processing facility and Highway 52 E, also known as the Heritage Highway.

Argo Road Maintenance, B.C.'s road and bridge maintenance contractor for areas including Dawson Creek, said in a social media post on Thursday afternoon that some parts of the highway remained closed due to wildfires.

The fire was among 57 burning in the province on Thursday, including 32 that were out of control.

Most were clustered in the province's northeast.

The online dashboard of the BC Wildfire Service said the Kiskatinaw River fire was discovered on Wednesday and was believed to be human caused.

"Crews are being assisted by heavy equipment and aviation support at this time," the service said.

An evacuation alert, warning residents to be ready to leave on short notice, was issued at 4:15 p.m., before it was upgraded to an evacuation order for some areas moments later.

B.C.'s wildfire season has been relatively calm compared to recent years and the BC Wildfire Service has been sending firefighters to harder-hit provinces.

B.C. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar said Thursday that the province had sent more than 50 firefighters and equipment to Manitoba, providing relief for crews sent earlier this month.

Parmar said the BC Wildfire Service also had 100 firefighters in Ontario, and he said B.C. had also received a request from Saskatchewan.

"Numbers are changing by the hour, but we expect by the course of this weekend, we'll have about 250 resources in those three provinces," he said, referring to firefighters and other personnel.