FORT NELSON, B.C. — British Columbia's wildfire service says gusty winds could fan"aggressive fire behaviour" in the north, where out-of-control blazes have forced several thousand people to flee their homes.
The community of about 4,700 has been evacuated since Friday along with the neighbouring First Nation, while the Doig River First Nation and Peace River Regional District also issued evacuation orders due to a separate fire north of Fort St. John. The wildfire service says stronger winds will result in more aggressive fire behaviour and increased rates of spread, posing challenges for suppression efforts.
The service adds that most spring wildfires are typically caused by human activity and everyone must do their part to avoid sparking a blaze.