Rain helps diminish fire activity near Tumbler Ridge, but no impact on B.C.'s massive Donnie Creek blaze

The B.C. Wildfire Service says rain that fell across B.C. Tuesday helped cool down some concerning fires in the northeast but did not reach the giant Donnie Creek fire southeast of Fort Nelson.

Special weather statements and warnings across B.C., warning of wind, thunderstorms and rain, remained in place as of Tuesday evening after aweather systemthat brought rain and cooler conditions throughout thesouthern two-thirds of the province.

Forrest Tower, a fire information officer, said rain also fell on the West Kiskatinaw River fireeast of Tumbler Ridge in the northeast where the entire community of 2,400 were ordered to leave their homes "really diminished" the aggressiveness of the blaze. He said it is likely the rain will facilitateeasier operations for at least two or three days.

"It's not a long-term impact just given how dry conditions are here, and expecting a return to seasonal or above seasonal norms for temperature," he told a news conference. "Just signalling here that there will continue to be a large wildfire burning in this area for several weeks."

WATCH | B.C. Wildfire Service officer describes how winds are helping:

Wildfire officer says situation improving for Tumbler Ridge

1 year ago

Duration 0:30

B.C. Wildfire Services officer Forrest Tower says things in Tumbler Ridge are looking much better thanks to favourable weather and westerly winds.

Hundreds of evacuees remain registered with emergency services, according to officials, who did not provide a firm date for when orders due to the West Kiskatinaw River blaze and the nearby Peavine Creek fire could be lifted.

North of Fort St. John, the massiveDonnie Creek fire led to new evacuation alertsbeing issued on Tuesday evening along the Alaska Highway. The blaze, which covers an area of4,875 square kilometres, is burning two kilometres away from the critical northern route at a point north of Trutch, B.C.

Fire information officer Julia Carancisaid rain did not fall on the fire at all, and the blaze spread to the south, driven by high winds. More than 360 properties remain on evacuation alert due to the fire, parts of which were burning at a
dangerous "Rank 5,"meaning it was not safe to have people working directly on the flames.

"We are expecting to see lesser growth [Tuesday] on account of those cooler temperatures and the higher relative humidity," she said at the news conference. "But we are still anticipating growth, and that fire obviously is still listed as being out of control."

WATCH | Officials bring CBC News inside the Tumbler Ridge evacuation zone:

Shifting winds help firefighters protect Tumbler Ridge

1 year ago

Duration 1:24

With winds blowing away from Tumbler Ridge, B.C., firefighters are working to establish guards to protect the community from two wildfires. The municipality in northeastern B.C. remains under an evacuation order.

Motorists are encouraged to check DriveBCfor updates on the Alaska Highway, with Caranci saying firefighters were helping co-ordinate traffic control in the event the highway needed to be closed. Both sides of the Alaska Highway are either under evacuation order or alert for a 160-kilometre stretch.

Special weather statements warning of wildfire smoke continue to cover most of northeast B.C., where B.C.'s most concerning fires continue to burn.

Wind warnings for Vancouver Island, Highway 4 to remain closed

A wind warning has been issued for west Vancouver Island, with the forecaster saying that wind speeds could reach 80 km/h, especially along exposed coastal sections.

At an update Tuesday afternoon, staff with B.C.'s Ministry of Transportation said at least two dozen fall events had already occurred.

As a result of the continued dangerous conditions, Minister Rob Fleming said Highway 4 will continue to be closed for at least another week, with a full reopening not expected until mid-July.

Wind speeds of up to 70 km/h are expected along the Strait of Georgia, including the Sunshine Coast, eastern Vancouver Island and much of the Metro Vancouver region. Winds are expected to continue through Tuesday night and ease Wednesday morning.

Thunderstorms expected with cooler conditions

Erika Berg, a fire information officer with the B.C. Wildfire Service, said that the expected rainfall on the fires near Tumbler Ridge the West Kiskatinaw and Peavine Creek blazes would be good news for firefighters in the region.

However, she said thunderstorms are likely to follow the cooler and wetter conditions.

"Primarily within the Southeast Fire Centre [is] where we're seeing, anticipating, a lot of that activity," she said. "The probability of resulting fire starts from lightning [is] significantly less in that area."

Environment Canada meteorologist Yimei Li also said the thunderstorm activity is not expected to carry the risk of dry lightning. On Tuesday morning, a severe thunderstorm watch was issued for southeast B.C., including Kelowna.

A severe thunderstorm warning was also issued for the West Kootenay and South Okanagan regions, with the forecaster saying "pea to dime-sized" hail and strong wind gusts were likely to be seen in the region.

Five wildfires of note are among nearly 80blazes burning throughout B.C. as of Tuesday morning.