The Kiskatinaw River Wildfire grew to 26,316 ha before cooler weather and a few days of rain knocked the fire down to a point where it is now considered being held.
“Being Held” means that, based on fuel and weather conditions and resource availability, the fire should remain within the current perimeter, control line or boundary.
At its peak, there were over 133 firefighters, 14 pieces of heavy equipment, a dozen helicopters and structural protection units from both Alberta and BC fighting the fire.
And, despite the fire burning through the community of Kelly Lake, no “primary structure” was damaged, though a handful of uninhabited structures did burn.
The fire forced the evacuation of Kelly Lake, as well as One Island Lake and residents across the boundary into Alberta.
While perimeter growth is not expected, unburnt fuels within the fire perimeter will continue to burn and may produce visible smoke.
Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.
