A campfire ban, including sky lanterns, fireworks, and burn barrels, is effective noon Thursday in northeast B.C.'s Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, and Fort Nelson fire zones. This measure is in response to forecasts of high temperatures and gusting winds up to 70 km/h, which could fuel rapid growth of existing wildfires and new starts. The B.C. Wildfire Service is battling two significant fires: the Kiskatinaw River wildfire near Dawson Creek, which has led to evacuations and highway closures, and the Summit Lake fire near Fort Nelson, impacting the Alaska Highway.
Campfires banned in northeast B.C. as winds of 70 km/h forecast to fuel flames
CBC NORTHERN B.C.B.C. Wildfire 2025Kiskatinaw River wildfireSummit Lake fireBritish ColumbiaDawson CreekFort NelsonKelly Lake B.C.BC Wildfire ServiceFiresWildfiresSummitsThunderstorms
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A campfire ban, including sky lanterns, fireworks, and burn barrels, is effective noon Thursday in northeast B.C.'s Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, and Fort Nelson fire zones. This measure is in response to forecasts of high temperatures and gusting winds up to 70 km/h, which could fuel rapid growth of existing wildfires and new starts. The B.C. Wildfire Service is battling two significant fires: the Kiskatinaw River wildfire near Dawson Creek, which has led to evacuations and highway closures, and the Summit Lake fire near Fort Nelson, impacting the Alaska Highway.
Trending- 1 Last Friday: Kelly Lake was evacuated due to the Kiskatinaw River wildfire.
- 2 Wednesday evening: B.C. Wildfire Service issued a bulletin warning of volatile conditions.
- 3 Noon Thursday (June 5, 2025): Campfire ban became effective in northeast B.C.
- 4 Thursday morning: B.C. Wildfire Service provided an update on the Kiskatinaw River wildfire.
- 5 Friday through Sunday: Volatile conditions are expected, potentially leading to rapid fire growth.
- Campfire ban in effect across northeast B.C.
- Rapid growth and movement of new and existing fires possible
- Increased potential for new fire starts from overwintering fires
- Kiskatinaw River wildfire forced evacuation of 110 civic addresses and closed Highway 52 East
- Evacuation alert issued in the County of Grande Prairie, Alberta
- Summit Lake fire impacting travel on the Alaska Highway
What: A campfire ban was implemented in northeast B.C.; the B.C. Wildfire Service is battling two wildfires of note: the Kiskatinaw River wildfire and the Summit Lake fire.
When: Effective noon Thursday (June 5, 2025); volatile conditions are expected from Friday through Sunday; the Kiskatinaw River wildfire forced evacuations last Friday.
Where: Northeast B.C., specifically the Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, and Fort Nelson fire zones; near the B.C.-Alberta border (Kiskatinaw River wildfire); west of Fort Nelson along the Alaska Highway (Summit Lake fire); County of Grande Prairie, Alberta (evacuation alert).
Why: High temperatures, gusting winds up to 70 km/h, a cold front, possible thunderstorms, and warm, dry conditions are forecast, which are expected to drive extreme fire behavior and growth, and increase the potential for new fire starts, particularly from overwintering fires.
How: The B.C. Wildfire Service implemented the ban and is deploying over 100 personnel and 12 helicopters to battle the Kiskatinaw River wildfire, while also preparing sprinkler systems to defend buildings. Officials are warning people to check DriveBC for conditions and have backup plans for travel on the Alaska Highway.