Wildfire in Peace River, B.C., quadruples in size after evacuation order

A wildfire in British Columbia that prompted an evacuation order on Thursday has quadrupled in size, as firefighters prepare for "intensifying conditions" in the parched northeast of the province where most fire activity is concentrated.

The BC Wildfire Service reported that the blaze in the Peace River Regional District near the community of Kelly Lake was about 46 square kilometres in size on Friday, up from 11 square kilometres Thursday afternoon. 

The blaze was "displaying aggressive fire behaviour," the service said on social media late Thursday.

The out-of-control fire near the Alberta boundary was burning close to the Pembina Steeprock gas processing facility and Highway 52 E, also known as the Heritage Highway.

"Visibility in the area is limited due to smoke from the fire and Highway 52 has been closed in both directions," the service said.

The Peace River Regional District issued the evacuation order on Thursday afternoon for homes around Kelly Lake and areas north of Campbell Lake, west of Tent Lake, south of Twin Lakes, and east to the Alberta border.

Census data suggests Kelly Lake has a population of about 75 residents and the district said people should evacuate to Dawson Creek.

"The Dawson Creek Emergency Support Services team has stood up an emergency reception centre in response to support evacuees from the Kelly Lake community," the City of Dawson Creek said on social media, adding that it would provide food, supplies and lodging.

The fire is among about 60 burning in the province, 34 of which are classified as burning out of control.

The online dashboard of the BC Wildfire Service said the Kiskatinaw River fire was discovered on Wednesday and was believed to be human caused.

Of the active fires in B.C., the service said 18 per cent were human caused, 77 per cent were started by lightning, while five per cent have unknown causes. 

The wildfire service said in a provincial update on Friday that very high temperatures this week quickly shifted with the passage of a cold front on Thursday. That pattern could bring could bring high winds and dry lightning. 

"We have strategically positioned crews and resources in the northeast to be prepared for intensifying conditions in areas where we already have fire on the landscape," the service said.

It said increased fire behaviour was expected in June, "particularly in areas that have experienced year-over-year drought conditions, like the northeast corner of the province."

"Through Friday and the weekend, windy conditions are expected to continue with more potential for thunderstorms on Saturday and Sunday across the northern half of the province," it said.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, B.C. Wildfire Service