Heat wave challenges firefighters in B.C. as new wildfires prompt evacuations

By Akshay Kulkarni
CBC News
May 14, 2023
Category: Forest Fires
Region: Canada, Canada West

Northeastern B.C. continues to see large wildfires burn out of control, as unusually hot weather challenges firefighters. Dozens of people remained out of their homes Sunday in areas around Fort St. John, B.C., due to evacuation orders and alerts associated with the Red Creek fire, which has now been burning for more than a week. A newly discovered blaze named the Stoddart Creek fire, just north of Red Creek, has prompted a door-to-door evacuation operation due to the safety risks associated with that fire, while other properties are on an evacuation alert. The Stoddart Creek wildfire was discovered around 3 p.m. PT Saturday, and is burning over an area of 12.3 square kilometres. The Peace River Regional District says 136 homes have been placed on evacuation order as of Sunday afternoon. …”It’s May and so it feels early, but we’re seeing July conditions out there,” said Hannah Swift, a fire information officer.

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