Wildfire

Major road closures across the province as well as west of Hinton are impacting traffic on Highway 16 and Highway 40.

Westbound Highway 16, past the junction with Highway 40, is completely closed. Only evacuees are permitted on the eastbound lanes to exit the area.

There is no estimate for when the highway will reopen. Westbound traffic is being redirected back to Hinton or onto Highway 40N. Additionally, Highway 40 is closed between Highway 16 and Highway 47, with access only for residents and permit holders.

The City of Grande Prairie, as part of the Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership (GPREP), is accepting evacuees from Jasper at the reception centre located in Bonnetts Energy Centre (10017 99 Avenue).

The reception centre is open until 8 p.m. on July 23 and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on July 24 to register evacuees, which provides access to food and lodging. 

There are currently three fires classified as OUT OF CONTROL and four classified as BEING HELD in the Peace River Forest Area.

A wildfire burning 17 km southwest of Keg River is classified as Out of Control.

Air tankers, firefighters, helicopters and heavy equipment operators continue their fire suppression efforts to contain and control this wildfire. The cause is lightning.

The communities of John D'Or Prairie, Fox Creek, and Garden River have all been evacuated due to wildfires in the area.

At this time, RCMP is advising that Highway 58 is now closed at the Beaver Ranch turn off.

County Regional Fire Service is responding to two wildfires. Yesterday, some hot spots were detected from Saturday's fire located south of Range Road 51 on the north bank of the Wapiti River. At approximately 8:00 p.m. last night, a new fire was discovered south of Range Road 44 near the Bear River. There is currently no threat to the public. 

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo issued an evacuation alert for the hamlet of Janvier and the Janvier 194 community of the Chipewyan Prairie First Nation due to a nearby wildfire.

Although the community and First Nation are currently not at risk, the evacuation alert remains in place due to potential smoke hazards. Additionally, the State of Local Emergency declared by Little Red River Cree Nation on July 10 is still in effect.

Starting tomorrow, the BC Wildfire Service is implementing a campfire ban in all parts of B.C., except Haida Gwaii.    

The ban will take effect at noon (Pacific time) on Friday, July 12, 2024, and will remain until further notice.

The ban is being implemented to help prevent human-caused wildfires and help protect public safety. The category 1 (campfires) ban is in addition to current provincewide bans for category 2 and 3 fires. This means open fires of any size, except those licensed for prescribed burns, will be prohibited everywhere in B.C., outside of Haida Gwaii.

The Peace River Regional District has issued an Evacuation Alert #1 for the Tupper Creek Wildfire.

This wildfire is currently listed as Out of Control, and anticipated to spread beyond the current perimeter, or control line.

Due to the potential danger to life and health, the following area is asked to be on alert:

-198 Road and the BC Provincial border

-West to Hwy 2 and 198 Road

-Continuing west along the 198 Road to the Kiskatinaw River

Hundreds of people in northern Alberta have been ordered to flee their homes because of a wildfire.

Little Red River Cree Nation issued an evacuation order yesterday for the 700 residents of Garden River, a community in Wood Buffalo National Park.

A provincial alert says the community is not in any immediate danger, but there were concerns the fire could cut off access to the only road in.

Officials estimate the wildfire to be about 400 square kilometres in size and say it was caused by lightning.

On Tuesday an Evacuation Order was issued by the Fort Nelson First Nation for the Kahntah Reserve in Northeastern B.C.

Areas affected include:

-112 km Southeast of IR#2 FNFN

-109 km Northeast of Prophet River

-48 km Northeast of Fontas Reserve

-116 km Southeast of Fort Nelson

Residents and visitors were informed they must leave immediately by boat. 

Firefighting efforts are underway and remain a significant distance away from the Fort Nelson First Nation IR#2 reserve and the settled area Fort Nelson.