Wildfire burning in park in Fort St. John, B.C., ‘tactical evacuations’ reportedly underway

Photo of a fire near the Fish Creek area courtesy of Facebook.

Firefighters from the Fort St. John Fire Department and the B.C. Wildfire Service were called to battle a fire in the city’s Fish Creek Community Forest Thursday afternoon.

“Please avoid the area and let crews work,” the city says in a statement on its website.

CJDC TV reports that the blaze broke out just before 4 p.m. and “tactical evacuations” are underway in the area.

It was unclear Thursday evening exactly how many people had been ordered to evacuate. An update from the city shortly after 6 p.m. advised “evacuees from Rose Prairie Road and Jones Sub” to proceed to the second floor of the Pomeroy Sport Centre to receive Emergency Support Services.

The B.C. Wildfire Service lists the fire as “out of control.” It was 20 hectares in size as of the most recent update at 5:50 p.m.

The BCWS also says the fire is suspected to be human-caused.

“We are supporting the Fort St. John Fire Department in responding to the Fish Creek wildfire,” the wildfire service’s latest update reads.

“BC Wildfire Service crews, helicopters, and airtankers are on site and working alongside the Fort St. John, Taylor, and Charlie Lake Fire Departments.”

The BCWS says it has 12 firefighters responding to the blaze, as well as two helicopters and an airtanker group working on the fire.

Earlier in the day Thursday, the provincial government issued a warning asking people to use caution “over the next several days” due to a combination of warm, dry conditions and strong winds in the forecast.

Though the warning was primarily for southern B.C., Forests Minister Ravi Parmar urged all British Columbians to remain “vigilant, cautious and informed.”

“We are expecting active weather in the coming days that could set the stage for dangerous wildfire conditions across the province,” said Parmar. “This is the time of year when we’re at the most risk for human-caused wildfires in B.C., most of which are entirely preventable.”

Recent suspicious fires

On Wednesday, Fort St. John RCMP issued a news release warning that eight suspicious fires had been reported in the city since Feb. 22, several of them in recreational areas.

Evidence gathered to date suggests that the eight blazes were intentionally set, police said.

Three of the suspicious fires were reported at Kin Park, which is located on the south side of 119 Avenue. Fish Creek Community Forest is adjacent to Northern Lights College on the north side of the avenue.

Two other suspicious fires were reported at the baseball diamonds in Surerus Park, and the other three were “at different locations in the city,” police said.

“Witnesses who were spoken to told police that several youths were seen this past weekend in the Kin Park area allegedly lighting fires near the pump track,” the RCMP release reads.

None of the eight suspicious fires resulted in injuries, police said, noting that such incidents still pose “a significant risk” and cost to the public.

“The recent increase in arson-related fires in our community’s recreational areas is a serious concern,” said Deputy Fire Chief Matt Troiano, in the RCMP release.

“We encourage all residents to remain alert and report any suspicious activity to authorities. We also ask parents and guardians to speak with their children about the importance of fire safety.”

There was no immediate indication as to whether Thursday’s fire was related to the recent string of incidents.

Police ask anyone with information about the suspicious fires to contact them at [phone].