Photo courtesy Alberta Wildfire

By Erika Rolling

Wildfires

Rain provides some relief for forest fires

Jun 13, 2023 | 11:48 AM

Precipitation in northeastern British Columbia is moving into the Peace country today, and falling on some major wildfires that are burning out of control in both provinces.

Peavine Creek (South Peace Complex) Update:

The Evacuation Alert that was in effect for residents near Preston Lake due to the out-of-control Peavine Creek Wildfire in British Columbia, has been lifted.

The alert was raised due to progress with containment efforts and rainfall in the area.

Regional Fire Service and Horse Lake First Nation crews will remain in the area over the next few days, to complete and reinforce the fireguard, along with extinguishing hot spots or flare-ups along the border.

There is a Fire Ban in effect for the City and County of Grande Prairie, and a Fire Restriction in the GPFA as the fire danger rating is Very High.

Boone Lake Complex

The two fires in Saddle Hills County that make up the Boone Lake Complex are now estimated at 7,250 hectares combined.

The fire is located 20 km north of Valhalla:

• Estimated at 1,250 hectares and is classified as out of control.
• Did not receive precipitation over the weekend and still saw low fire behavior.
• Seventy-five per cent has been contained by control lines, with the south perimeter held adjacent to Boone Lake and supported with long-term fire retardant, helicopter bucketing, and heavy equipment along with ground resources.
• Fifty firefighters have been assigned to the blaze to reinforce the guard.

The fire 10 km west of Deadwood Lake in Township 77-10:

• Estimated at 6,000 hectares in size, and out of control and moving east.
• High to extreme fire behavior was recorded on the weekend and was growing to the northeast.
• Not responding well to suppression efforts and heavy equipment and aerial support are working to try and slow the spread.

Other fires of note

• The Cecil Fire, on the riverbanks of the Peace River near Worsley, is classified as out of control at 49,328. Firefighters, helicopters, and heavy equipment are actively working on the Cecil Fire.
• The out-of-control wildfire near the hamlet of Sweathouse (southeast of Valleyview), has been added to the Grizzly Complex in the Slake Lake Forest Area. It is estimated as 8,500 hectares in size. The Evacuation Order in the MD of Greenview has been replaced by an Evacuation Advisory and residents should be prepared to leave within an hour’s notice if conditions change.
• A smaller fire, at an estimated 94 hectares is burning out of control in the MD of Greenview. Fire crews have contained 60 per cent with a dozer guard, but heavy terrain and slopes have been challenging for crews on the southwest flank. The fire is located approximately 60 km southwest of Grovedale.