Map courtesy RDBN

By Tommy Osborne

Wildfire update

Sam Ross Creek wildfire classified as “held”

Aug 6, 2025 | 4:43 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Cooler weather and a quick response from wildfire crews have resulted in the Sam Ross Creek wildfire being classified as “held,” after being labelled “out of control” on August 5.

“When we have decreased temperatures and higher humidity, that means that the fire is not going to burn as aggressively. So instead of seeing that rank 3 or 4 burning where it’s in the tree tops, candling, the fire behavior did decrease to that rank 1 or 2, more ground fire, maybe a little bit of open flame,” said Casda Thomas, a Fire Information Officer with the Northwest Fire Centre.

“Initially we did have a lot of aviation support. We had air tankers, helicopters, skimmers, and these resources are very critical to holding a fire, to giving us time to get firefighters in place. But ultimately, they don’t put the fire out, so what’s really important is to get the firefighters on the ground, on the fire line, applying water to the edge of the fire, and that’s what really puts the fire out,” she continued.

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Thomas believes the well-timed weather and efforts from fire crews combined at the perfect time to control the wildfire, and now that it’s classified as held she says crews are in the “mop up stage.”

“They are going through with hosing. They’re putting water on the fire. They’re feeling the dirt with their hands to see if it’s cold, if it’s warm. They’re using their hand tools to dig down, sometimes the fire can burn quite deep,” Thomas said.

Provincially, the Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar said there are 120 active wildfires as of the morning of August 6, including 12 that have started within the last 24 hours and 27 declared as being “out” in that same period. While there are still many fires of concern across the province, he says the cooler weather across much of the province has helped not just recently, but the entire summer.

“Over 85 air tanker missions have been flown in the last week, and the initial attack units have been getting fires out before they grow thanks to the quick, effective action from our BC Wildfire Service crews and local firefighters. We’ve been able to contain 85% of the fires this season to four hectares or less,” Parmar said.

“Heavy equipment and structure protection crews have been working to keep homes and businesses safe wherever they are threatened. There are nearly 800 BC Wildfire Service personnel and local contractors engaged in the firefighting effort. And although conditions have helped keep wildfires in check this summer, I think it’s fair to say it’s important to recognize the hard work, the planning, and the investments that have been made that make a big difference in this year’s wildfire season,” he continued.

While the Sam Ross Creek wildfire is now held, the Dorman Lake wildfire also near Fraser Lake remains classified as out of control.

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