Skip to Main content

6.83°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

May 17, 2024 2:45 PM - The Canadian Press

Crews fighting wildfires near Fort Nelson hope skies open up after rainy Thursday

Share On

crews-fighting-wildfires-near-fort-nelson-hope-skies-open-up-after-rainy-thursday

While more rain is forecast in the coming days, Peck says there's not been nearly enough precipitation yet to overcome long-term drought conditions in northeast British Columbia.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

A rainy Thursday in and around Fort Nelson was exactly what fire crews were looking for.

In a video released late Thursday night by the B.C. Wildfire Service, fire behaviour specialist for the Parker Lake and Patry Creek blazes Evan Peck said recent rain was much needed and made for excellent conditions for fire suppression crews.

While more rain is forecast in the coming days, Peck says there's not been nearly enough precipitation yet to overcome long-term drought conditions in northeast British Columbia.

Crews continue to battle the Parker Lake and Patry Creek blazes, both of which are threatening Fort Nelson and are classified as out of control.

To date, the Parker Lake wildfire burning two kilometres west of town has forced thousands to evacuate and is holding steady at 123 square kilometres in size.

The Patry Creek wildfire is much larger, with the latest data from the B.C. Wildfire Service Friday morning indicating that the fire burning 25 kilometres north of Fort Nelson had swelled to 718 square kilometres.

Latest news

u-s-visits-to-canada-edge-higher-in-october-as-canadians-cut-back-on-trips-south-statistics-canada-reports

CanadaDec 22, 2025

U.S. visits to Canada edge higher in October as Canadians cut back on trips south, Statistics Canada reports

Travel by U.S. residents to Canada showed modest growth in October, marking the first year-over-year increase in eight months, according to new data from Statistics Canada. The agency says Americans made just over 1.8 million trips to Canada during the month, a three per cent rise compared with October last year. The increase comes as Canadians continued to reduce travel to the United States. Statistics Canada reports Canadian residents made about 2.34 million return trips from the U.S. in October, a sharp drop of more than 26 per cent compared with the same period in 2024. The ongoing decline

b-c-police-watchdog-investigating-death-of-man-following-rcmp-arrest-in-prince-rupert

B.C. police watchdog investigating death of man following RCMP arrest in Prince Rupert

British Columbia’s police oversight agency has launched an investigation after a man died following an interaction with RCMP officers in Prince Rupert over the weekend. According to the Independent Investigations Office of B.C., police were called to a residence shortly after 2:25 p.m. on Saturday in response to a reported assault. Officers attempted to take a man into custody, during which a physical interaction occurred. The watchdog said the man went into medical distress during the arrest. He was transported to hospital, where he later died. The IIO confirmed it was notified of the incid

WorldDec 22, 2025

Senior Russian general killed in car bomb attack in Moscow

A senior Russian military officer has died after a car bomb explosion in the Russian capital, raising new security concerns amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Russian authorities say the blast took place Monday in Moscow and is being treated as a targeted attack. Russia’s Investigative Committee said Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov was critically injured when an explosive device planted beneath his vehicle detonated. He was rushed to hospital but later died from his injuries, according to investigators. Officials have suggested the explosion may be linked to Ukrainian in

eby-says-ndp-not-looking-to-force-early-election-as-opposition-turmoil-dominates-b-c-politics

Eby says NDP not looking to force early election as opposition turmoil dominates B.C. politics

Premier David Eby says his New Democratic Party government is not seeking a snap election in 2026, despite a turbulent year at the legislature and ongoing instability within the Opposition B.C. Conservatives. In a year-end interview, Eby said British Columbians want stability as the province navigates economic pressure, labour unrest and sensitive court rulings involving Indigenous rights. The premier’s comments come after a politically difficult year for the minority-turned-narrow-majority NDP, which won the October 2024 election by a single seat. The government faced backlash over resource

surrey-police-seek-more-victims-after-two-charged-in-child-exploitation-investigation

CanadaDec 19, 2025

Surrey police seek more victims after two charged in child exploitation investigation

Surrey Police Service and the RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit are asking potential victims and witnesses to come forward following arrests in a child exploitation investigation that began last year. Investigators say the case involves alleged offences that occurred over several years and may include additional victims who have not yet been identified. Police say the investigation was launched in October 2024 by the Surrey RCMP Special Victims Unit after receiving information related to alleged child sexual abuse material dating back to 2021. A man and a woman were later identifi

Related News

B.C. police watchdog investigating death of man following RCMP arrest in Prince Rupert

B.C. police watchdog investigating death of man following RCMP arrest in Prince Rupert

British Columbia’s police oversight agency has launched an investigation after a man died following an interaction with RCMP officers in Prince Rupert over the weekend. According to the Independent Investigations Office of B.C., police were called to a residence shortly after 2:25 p.m. on Saturday in response to a reported assault. Officers attempted to take a man into custody, during which a physical interaction occurred. The watchdog said the man went into medical distress during the arrest. He was transported to hospital, where he later died. The IIO confirmed it was notified of the incid

Eby says NDP not looking to force early election as opposition turmoil dominates B.C. politics

Eby says NDP not looking to force early election as opposition turmoil dominates B.C. politics

Premier David Eby says his New Democratic Party government is not seeking a snap election in 2026, despite a turbulent year at the legislature and ongoing instability within the Opposition B.C. Conservatives. In a year-end interview, Eby said British Columbians want stability as the province navigates economic pressure, labour unrest and sensitive court rulings involving Indigenous rights. The premier’s comments come after a politically difficult year for the minority-turned-narrow-majority NDP, which won the October 2024 election by a single seat. The government faced backlash over resource

Coquitlam RCMP warn residents after spike in home break-ins targeting back doors

Coquitlam RCMP warn residents after spike in home break-ins targeting back doors

Coquitlam RCMP are urging residents to take extra precautions after a recent increase in residential break and enters across the city, many involving similar methods and locations. Police say the incidents have raised concern among investigators due to their frequency and pattern. Mounties report receiving about 21 complaints of residential break-ins since November 23. In most cases, suspects entered homes through rear sliding glass doors, with incidents largely occurring between mid-afternoon and late evening, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Police note that homes backing onto green spaces, trails, or

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital