Image Credit: BC Wildfire Service

By CKPG Today

Wildfire update

Ignition control operations halted Wednesday on Bearhole Lake fire near Tumbler Ridge due to ‘unfavourable conditions’

Sep 8, 2022 | 7:09 AM

TUMBLER RIDGE — The BC Wildfire Service are continuing their battle against the Bearhole Lake wildfire near Tumbler Ridge.

“The ignition operation on the Bearhole Lake wildfire was not conducted today (Sept.7) due to unfavorable conditions,” they said in a statement last night.

“When conditions improve, the ignition team will look for further opportunities to continue the remainder of the ignition operation. This could happen within the next several days.”

The lightning-caused and out-of-control wildfire was discovered August 31 and has grown to just over 6,000 hectares in size. Located approximately 8 kilometres east of Bearhole Lake near the Kiskatinaw River, it’s closed Highway 52 between Boot Lake and Red Willow. Check DriveBC for more information.

Officials say that a structural protection assessment is ongoing in the community of Kelly Lake. In addition, a structural defense plan is being implemented with structure protection crews and fire apparatus.

Spruce Kings fall in Langley to Rivermen

21h ago

Sexual Assault and Harassment

Judge to rule on Canada Post employee's sexual assault and harassment case

Dec 13, 2025

Weather Alerts

Freezing rain warning issued for Prince George-area, snowfall warning remains for Williston, Pine Pass

Dec 13, 2025

They also note the following:

• Crews are prepared to redirect their efforts to support the structure protection personnel in rapid deployment of structure protection apparatus if needed.

• Heavy equipment operations have commenced on the north flank to establish parallel guard to tie into Highway 52. Two Unit Crews will support this guard building and will look for opportunities for small hand ignition operations in the area.

• Crews on the southside of the fire will be looking for opportunities to conduct small ignition operations and heavy equipment will work on widening the Kiskatinaw Forest Service Road to better act as a containment line.

In addition to all of this, an Area Restriction Order has been expanded for the vicinity of the Bearhole Lake wildfire and now extends across to the east side of Highway 52. The size of the area restriction reflects the continued need to protect the public in areas where there are ongoing fire suppression activities. For more details click here.

The Peace River Regional District has issued an Evacuation Order for the area surrounding the community of Kelly Lake. For more information, visit the Peace River Regional District’s website here.

The following resources have been deployed to aid in the suppression of this fire:

• 92 firefighters
• 14 heavy equipment
• 39 structure protection personnel.
• 6 additional operational staff are working with equipment operators.
• 16 helicopters are being shared between the fires of the Battleship Complex.

Crews also continue to fight the out-of-control Battleship Mountain fire, located approximately 50 kilometres west of Hudson’s Hope.

That fire is estimated to be over 13,200 hectares in size.

Structure protection personnel are developing a response plan for the WAC Bennett Dam and continue maintenance of established structure protection apparatus in the Carbon Lake area. Additional areas are being assessed by structure protection personnel as needed. Personnel are working closely with BC Hydro to continue establishing familiarization at the WAC Bennett Dam.

• Crews on the west flank of the fire are working on creating fuel breaks in preparation for a potential ignition operation in the coming days by removing unburnt material between the control line and the edge of the fire. Two Unit Crews are working along the Johnson Creek Forest Service Road northeast of Carbon Lake to create fuel free zones on the east flank of the fire, by removing all the fuel down to mineral soil.

• Helicopters are continuing bucketing operations along the south and west of Battleship Mountain. Operations staff are developing an ignition plan for the southwest corner of the fire to build containment in the area as conditions allow.

The District of Hudson’s Hope has declared a State of Local Emergency and issued an Evacuation Order and an Evacuation Alert for the Municipality of Hudson’s Hope. For more information, visit the Hudson’s Hope website here.

The Peace River Regional District has issued an Evacuation Order and has expanded the existing Evacuation Alert. For more information, visit the Peace River Regional District’s website here.