Officials expect 'significant wildfire growth' at blaze on B.C.-Alta. border

Officials in British Columbia are warning of dangerous conditions for a raging wildfire on the B.C.-Alberta border in northeastern B.C., which has already resulted in evacuation orders.

The Kiskatinaw River wildfire grew significantly from Tuesday to Wednesday, expanding south of Dawson Creek, B.C., about 750 kilometres northeast of Vancouver, from just under 40 square kilometres to an area of 65 square kilometres.

It has resulted in 110 civic addresses being put on evacuation order in the Kelly Lake and One Island Lake areas. Highway 52 East remains closed in the area due to the blaze, which is burning close to the Pembina Steeprock gas processing facility.

In a news conference on Wednesday afternoon, officials warned that high winds are set to push the blaze close to the Kelly Lake area, and urged anyone still in their homes to leave as soon as they can.

"Conditions in the coming days will be dangerous," fire information officer Karley Desrosiers told reporters. "We are expecting significant wildfire growth as winds increase throughout the week."

Desrosiers said that winds will reach up to 50 km/h on Thursday and up to 60 km/h on Friday and will push the wildfire to the east and northeast.

"This is a very high-risk situation," the fire information officer said. "I would urge residents in Kelly Lake: do not wait till you see smoke or fire to make the decision to leave.

"Egress routes can be cut off very quickly, and the situation can change very, very rapidly."

Officials said they had, thus far, registered 55 evacuees in the nearby City of Dawson Creek, and they expect others may be staying with family or friends in Alberta.

They did not provide an exact number of how many are staying behind, but also said they were unaware of any infrastructure damage due to the blaze.

Desrosiers said that there was a fleet of 11 helicopters bucketing the fire with water, as well as over 100 firefighters on the ground.

"Unfortunately, with the fire behaviour that we are expecting, we won't be able to hold the fire with buckets alone and [it's] certainly going to be much too risky and hazardous to put firefighters at the head of this," the officer said.

In a statement issued Wednesday evening, the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) warned of high winds in the northeast section of the province this weekend, with two cold fronts bringing 70 km/h winds on Friday, as well as Sunday into Monday.

"Following a period of warm, dry conditions, these strong winds are expected to drive extreme fire behaviour and growth towards the east on all wildfires within the Dawson Creek, Fort St. John and Fort Nelson fire zones," the service said.