Emergency News ACTIVE

Following the official announcement this morning, the PRRD Emergency Operations Centre is pleased to confirm that the Kiskatinaw River Wildfire area is no longer under Evacuation Order. Residents are now cleared to return home.

Be advised:

🚨 An Evacuation Alert (#9) has been issued to reflect that some risk remains in the area, and conditions may change. Please stay prepared and monitor updates. prrd.bc.ca

BC Wildfire crews remain active, and an official BC Wildfire Area Restriction is still in place. This restriction limits public access for safety and ongoing fire suppression work. For details, visit: www.bcwildfire.ca

Community-Specific Information:

📍 One Island Lake

• No longer under Evacuation Order or Alert – Residents are clear to return
• Please contact the PRRD for information on how to access recovery resources

📍 Kelly Lake

• Evacuation Order has been lifted. The area is now under PRRD Evacuation Alert #9 and BC Wildfire Area Restriction.
• Residents are clear to return home; however must remain vigilant and prepared to evacuate should conditions change.
• BC Wildfire crews will continue working in the area
• Resources will be available at the Kelly Lake Community Centre include:
  – Cleaning kits
  – Food packages
  – Return-home information and support

We know this has been a challenging time, and we are so pleased to welcome residents home. Please reach out if you need support—we’re here to help.

More info and resources: https://prrd.bc.ca

Before you go inside—check your home’s safety first.

Returning after a wildfire evacuation? Take time to inspect your property carefully and stay alert for hazards.

Inspect the exterior before entry
• Look for visible damage like leaning walls, broken windows, fallen trees or power lines
• Smell for gas or smoke—don’t enter if you detect anything unusual

⚠️ Do not enter if your home is unsafe
• If there are signs of structural damage, gas leaks, or live wires—stay out
• If safe, take photos from outside to document visible damage
• Call 911 immediately if there is danger (e.g. fire, gas smell, downed lines)

Report and confirm before proceeding
• Contact your utility provider or local emergency services if you have any concerns
• Don’t turn on power until it’s safe—reset your breaker cautiously

Your safety comes first. If you’re unsure, wait for professional inspection.

Re-entry checklist & safety tips:

After Wildfire – Returning Home Safely: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/preparedbc/know-your-hazards/wildfires/after-wildfire

First Nations Health Authority: Returning Home After Wildfires: https://www.fnha.ca/Documents/FNHA-Returning-to-Your-Home-After-Wildfires.pdf

Is your food and water safe to use after evacuation?

After more than a week away from home, it’s important to check carefully before using food, water, or appliances.

Food Safety:
Discard any food that:
• Was in a fridge or freezer without power for over 24–48 hours
• Was exposed to heat, smoke, ash, or flood water
• Has damaged packaging, broken seals, or swelling cans
👉 When in doubt, throw it out.

Water Safety (Cisterns & Wells):
If you use well water or a cistern, your water source may have been affected by wildfire, power loss, or flooding.
• Do not drink or cook with the water until it has been tested and confirmed safe
• Contact your local health authority or Environmental Health Officer for testing
• If unsure, use bottled water or boil your water for at least 1 minute
• Run all taps for several minutes once your water source is confirmed safe
• Do not use water-damaged appliances until cleared
• Reset your breaker carefully—make sure all appliances are off first

Safe Disposal:
The PRRD EOC is placing bins in the community to help with safe disposal of spoiled food. See the bin map for locations here Bin Locations Kelly Lake.

Need help replacing food?
Food banks and community providers will be visiting the Resiliency Centre to help residents replace lost food and essentials.

More info:
🔗 Food safety: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/preparedbc/know-your-hazards/wildfires/after-wildfire
🔗 Well water safety: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/wildfire-its-effects-drinking-water-quality

🔗 First Nations Health Authority: Returning Home After Wildfires: https://www.fnha.ca/Documents/FNHA-Returning-to-Your-Home-After-Wildfires.pdf

Getting ready to clean up after the evacuation?

Take a few important steps before you begin to protect your health and support any insurance claims.

Document First:

• Take photos of all visible damage—inside and outside your home
• Record lost or spoiled food, damaged belongings, and structural issues
• Keep receipts for cleanup supplies, repairs, and any temporary housing
• Contact your insurance provider before throwing out major damaged items

Clean Safely:

• Wear gloves, masks, and protective clothing—especially around soot or ash
• Use diluted bleach or disinfectant for hard surfaces affected by smoke or water
• Discard porous or contaminated items like pillows, carpets, or drywall
• Do not disturb fire debris until a hazardous materials assessment is completed.
• Fire-damaged properties may contain asbestos and other hazardous materials.
• If doing removal yourself, homeowners must follow WorkSafeBC safety requirements.

Need supplies?
The Red Cross will be providing free cleaning kits to help residents get started safely.

💡 Take your time—your health and your claim both matter.

Learn more:

🔗 Post-Wildfire Hazardous Materials Guidance: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/air-land-water/spills-and-environmental-emergencies/docs/materials/post_wildfire_hazardous_materials_guidance_local_authorities_and_first_nations.pdf

🔗 Managing Waste Asbestos by Homeowners: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/waste-management/hazardous-waste/hazardous-waste/resources/asbestos_homeowners_guide.pdf

🔗 Safe Work Practices for Handling Asbestos | WorkSafeBC

🔗 Insurance & Disaster Recovery: https://www.ibc.ca/news-insights/news/wildfires-in-british-columbia-insurance-information-on-additional-living-expenses-to-affected-residents
🔗 Safe Cleaning Practices: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/preparedbc/know-your-hazards/wildfires/after-wildfire

Emotional recovery is part of the process.

It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed, anxious, or “off” after a disaster. Recovery isn’t just physical—it’s emotional too.

❤️ Check in with yourself, your family, and your neighbours
• Feeling unsettled or exhausted is expected
• Children, elders, and vulnerable people may show delayed stress reactions
• Keep communication open and offer reassurance

Support is available
You don’t have to carry it all alone. Mental health and cultural support services are available to help you process, heal, and rebuild.

📞 Mental Health Support Line (available 24/7): 310-6789 (no area code needed)
Mental Health – Help Starts Here: https://helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca/
HealthLink BC Mental Health Resources: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/mental-health-and-substance-use/mental-health

Support for Indigenous Communities:
• KUU-US Crisis Line – 24/7 Indigenous Support: https://www.kuu-uscrisisline.com/
• First Nations Health Authority Wildfire Info: https://www.fnha.ca/what-we-do/environmental-health/wildfire-information

You’re not alone. Support is here—reach out when you’re ready.

Kelly Lake Community Bins – For Spoiled Food & Damaged Household Items

As cleanup begins in Kelly Lake, community waste bins are being placed throughout the area to support safe and efficient disposal.

✅ What you CAN put in the bins:
• Spoiled food waste – please prioritise this first
• Household items damaged by smoke

🚫 What is NOT permitted in these bins:
• Appliances (including fridges and freezers)
• Construction materials or debris
• Ash, metal, or any materials from fire-damaged structures

⚠️ Improper use of these bins may delay community cleanup efforts and cause serious health or environmental risks. Once full, bins will be removed and will not be replaced—please dispose of spoiled food first.

Need to dispose of appliances (fridges, freezers etc)?

• Disposal is at the homeowner’s discretion
• Appliance replacement is the responsibility of the homeowner and their insurance provider
• Appliances should ONLY be disposed of at local transfer stations – from Friday 20^th

Fire-damaged materials or demolition waste from homes built before 1990 may contain asbestos. These materials must not go into community bins. Improper handling can release dangerous fibres into the air.

Learn more about safe asbestos disposal and health risks:
🔗 Asbestos Homeowner Guide (BC): https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/waste-management/hazardous-waste/hazardous-waste/resources/asbestos_homeowners_guide.pdf

For more returning-home guidance:
🔗 Returning Home Safety Tips: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/preparedbc/know-your-hazards/wildfires/after-wildfire

🔗 FNHA Guide: https://www.fnha.ca/Documents/FNHA-Returning-to-Your-Home-After-Wildfires.pdf

📍 Please follow posted signage at bin sites and only place approved items inside. Thank you for helping us keep the community safe during this recovery.

Kiskatinaw River Wildfire – Resiliency Centre in Kelly Lake

The Peace River Regional District Emergency Operations Centre is opening a Resiliency Centre to support residents impacted by the Kiskatinaw River Wildfire.

📍 Location: Kelly Lake Community Centre
📅 Date: From Wednesday, June 18 – until further notice

Available supports include:

• Food donations and grocery replacements
• Cleaning kits from the Canadian Red Cross
• Returning Home Information Packets with safety tips, cleanup advice, and local resources
• Community connection and recovery support

Whether you need supplies, guidance, or just someone to talk to—this space is for you.

Please share this info with anyone in the area.
More details: https://prrd.bc.ca

UPDATE 3: June 17, 2025 at 14:41 (2:41pm): Effective at 12:00 (noon) on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, Category 1 open fires (campfires) are once again permitted in the Peace Forest Districts, including the Dawson Creek and Fort St. John Zones. A Category 1 fire, or campfire, is defined as an open fire that burns piled material no larger than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide.

UPDATE 2: June 5, 2025 at 14:19 (2:19pm): Effective at 12:00 (noon) on Thursday, June 5, 2025, Category 1 open fires (campfires) are prohibited across the Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, and Fort Nelson fire zones. This prohibition applies to campfires (Category 1) and will be in place until Oct. 31, 2025, or until the order is rescinded. Municipalities may have their own bylaws that permit small campfires within city limits; please check with your local municipality for more information.

Please be advised that the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) is sharing this important fire prohibition information on behalf of the BC Wildfire Service.

These prohibitions are enacted and enforced by the BC Wildfire Service, not the PRRD. The PRRD urges all residents and visitors to adhere to this important fire prohibition implemented by the BC Wildfire Service to help protect our communities and natural resources.

Prohibition on Category 2 and Category 3 open fires

The BC Wildfire Service will implement an Open Fire Prohibition for parts of the Prince George Fire Centre, effective at 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Friday, May 16, 2025.

This prohibition does not apply to Category 1 (campfires) that are a half-metre high by half-metre wide or smaller, or the use of cooking stoves that utilize gas, propane, or briquettes.

This prohibition directly impacts the entire Peace River Regional District, as it includes the Peace Forest Districts.

The following types of open burning are prohibited:

• Category 2 Open Fires: This includes:
  • One pile of material not exceeding 2 metres high and 3 metres wide.
  • Two piles of material, each not exceeding 2 metres high and 3 metres wide.
  • Stubble or grass burning over an area less than 0.2 hectares (2,000 square metres).
• Category 3 Open Fires: This includes:
  • Three or more piles of material, each not exceeding 2 metres high and 3 metres wide.
  • Any pile of material larger than 2 metres high or 3 metres wide.
  • Windrows not exceeding 200 metres in length and 15 metres in width.
  • Stubble or grass burning over an area exceeding 0.2 hectares (2,000 square metres).

In addition to open burning, the following activities and equipment are also prohibited:

• Fireworks
• Sky lanterns
• Burn barrels or burn cages of any size
• Binary exploding targets

This prohibition will remain in effect until 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Tuesday, October 15, 2025, or until the order is officially rescinded by the BC Wildfire Service.

Where this prohibition applies within the PRRD:

This prohibition applies to all areas within the Peace Forest Districts that are outside of municipal boundaries. It also applies to the following types of Crown land within municipal boundaries:

• Parks, conservancies, and recreation areas (Park Act)
• Recreation sites, trails, and interpretive forest sites (Forest and Range Practices Act)
• Ecological reserves (Ecological Reserve Act)
• Wildlife management areas (Wildlife Act)
• Private managed forest land (Private Managed Forest Land Act)

Why this prohibition is in place:

The BC Wildfire Service has implemented this prohibition due to multiple factors, including the high grass fire hazard, persistent drought conditions, and an increased incidence of human-caused wildfires associated with Category 2 and Category 3 open burning. The goal is to prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.

Penalties for Non-Compliance:

Individuals who violate this open fire prohibition may face significant penalties, including fines up to $1,150, administrative penalties up to $10,000, or court convictions with fines up to $100,000 and/or one year in jail. If a prohibited fire causes a wildfire, the responsible individual may be held accountable for all firefighting costs and damages to Crown resources. More information can be found in the Wildfire Act and Regulation online.

Report Wildfires or Violations:

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire, or open burning violation, please call 1-800-663-5555 (toll-free) or *5555 on a cell phone, or use the BC Wildfire Service mobile app.

Stay informed

For the latest wildfire news, please follow the BC Wildfire Service through the following channels:

• BCWS Mobile App: Available for Apple and Android devices.
• X (formerly Twitter)
• Facebook

Contact:

For further information, please contact the Prince George Fire Centre Information Officer at 250-561-4629 or INFOPG@gov.bc.ca.

Get ready to leave:

• Be ready for an Evacuation Order:
  • Sign up for North East BC Alerts at NEBCAlerts.com
  • Monitor www.prrd.bc.ca
• Keep track of family and pets
  • Make a plan for where to meet or who to call if you are separated
• Pack your bags
  • Don’t forget your ID, medications, glasses, pets, credit cards, important documents (e.g. insurance, passport, birth certificates), phone and charger, and keepsakes (if space and time permits).
• Keep your vehicle full of fuel
• Make travel arrangements for people that need more time to leave
  • If you need assistance with transportation call 250-784-4838
• Move livestock to a safe location

Prepare your home (if there is time):

• Move combustible items (patio furniture, firewood, propane tanks, toys, decorative items, etc.) away from the home (10m+)
• Rake leaves, grass and debris away from the base of the home (1.5m +)
• Visit FireSmartBC.ca for more tips

If there is an Evacuation Order, before you leave (if there is time):

• Turn off propane, electricity and water
• Empty your fridge
• Shut and lock all windows and doors
• Follow the directions on the Evacuation Order to register for Emergency Support Services (ESS)
• Visit prrd.bc.ca for more information on Evacuation Alerts and Orders

To contact the PRRD, call 250-784-3200.