The out-of-control Summit Lake wildfire, spanning 26 square kilometers, is threatening a 162-kilometer stretch of the Alaska Highway (Highway 97) west of Fort Nelson, British Columbia. The highway has seen multiple closures and reopenings to single-lane alternating traffic, with authorities prioritizing safety amidst difficult terrain and issuing evacuation alerts for nearby areas.
Status of Alaska Highway could change quickly due to wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C.
Canada
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️The out-of-control Summit Lake wildfire, spanning 26 square kilometers, is threatening a 162-kilometer stretch of the Alaska Highway (Highway 97) west of Fort Nelson, British Columbia. The highway has seen multiple closures and reopenings to single-lane alternating traffic, with authorities prioritizing safety amidst difficult terrain and issuing evacuation alerts for nearby areas.
Trending- 1 Monday: Alaska Highway began experiencing multiple closures/reopenings
- 2 Overnight Monday: Summit Lake fire experienced growth
- 3 Tuesday: Highway reopened to single-lane alternating traffic; Fort Nelson First Nation issued evacuation alert for Fontas reserve; Peace River Regional District issued third evacuation order and fourth evacuation alert for Kiskatinaw River area
- Intermittent closures of Alaska Highway
- Ongoing threat to communities and infrastructure
- Evacuation alerts/orders for Tetsa River, Fontas reserve, and Kiskatinaw River areas
- Strain on wildfire services
What: The Summit Lake wildfire, an out-of-control blaze, is affecting the Alaska Highway (Highway 97) near Fort Nelson, British Columbia, leading to intermittent closures and evacuation alerts.
When: Later Tuesday (reopened); since Monday (multiple closures/reopenings); overnight Monday (fire growth); Tuesday (Fort Nelson First Nation alert, Peace River Regional District order/alert).
Where: Alaska Highway (Highway 97), Fort Nelson, Grouse Trail, Toad Mountain Road, Summit Lake, Tetsa River area, Fontas reserve, Sikanni Old Growth Park, Kiskatinaw River area, British Columbia, Canada.
Why: The wildfire is burning in difficult and inaccessible terrain, posing a threat to the highway and nearby communities, necessitating closures and alerts for public and crew safety.
How: The BC Wildfire Service is managing the fire with ground crews and helicopters, prioritizing accessible areas and highway access while maintaining safety. DriveBC is providing updates on road status. Evacuation alerts and orders have been issued by regional authorities and First Nations.