UPDATED JUNE 12, 2025: Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Wildfire Updates

June 12, 2025

This page is updated regularly with the latest wildfire information, evacuation alerts and orders and community support resources for the region. Please check back often and follow official PRRD channels for the latest updates.

UPDATED JUNE 12, 2025

Active evacuation orders & alerts

Evacuation decisions are made proactively with public and responder safety as the top priority.

Kiskatinaw River Wildfire (G70422)

  • Peace River Regional District, BC – Evacuation Orders #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, & Evacuation Alerts #5, #6, #7 are still in place. View them on PRRD Website
  • County of GP GPREP Evacuation Order & Alert. View details on GPREP website

If you are under an Evacuation Order, you must leave immediately.
If you are under an Evacuation Alert, be prepared to leave on short notice.
Evacuation decisions are made proactively with public and responder safety as the top priority.

Pocket Knife Creek Wildfire (G80352)

Evacuation Orders #1, #2, #3, & Evacuation Alerts #2, #3 are still in place. View them on PRRD Website

Alces River Wildfire (G80497)

Evacuation Alert #1 is still in place. View it on PRRD Website

How to check your status: Use the PRRD Alert Map Tool: https://prrd.bc.ca/evacmaptool/

SIGN UP FOR EMERGENCY ALERTS – you must sign up to receive alerts

Current situation

As multiple wildfires continue to cross provincial borders, the Peace River Regional District Emergency Operations Centre remains fully activated. We are working closely with the Unified Command of BC Wildfire Service, Alberta Wildfire, and the County of Grande Prairie on specific cross-border incidents, while also coordinating separately on other wildfires within our region. Our priority is to provide timely information and issue Evacuation Orders and Alerts to those at risk.

Today June 12, we are also focused on working with community partners to prepare a Resiliency Centre in the Dawson Creek area, which will bring essential supports and services to evacuated residents in the days ahead.

See our video updates on YouTube here: PRRD 2025 Emergency Updates

Priority fires

Kiskatinaw River Wildfire (G70422)

The Kiskatinaw River Wildfire, currently estimated at 26,628 hectares, has crossed into Alberta from its origin in the Peace River Regional District. While there are no primary residences or outbuildings known to have been lost, the extent of structural damage in the Kelly Lake area remains unclear; Rapid Damage Assessments will be conducted once ground access is safe.

PRRD is working together with the unified command of: BC Wildfire Service, Alberta Wildfire, the County of Grande Prairie, to coordinate the cross-border response.

Active suppression efforts continue on both sides of the border. Evacuation Orders and Alerts remain in effect in both British Columbia and Alberta, including areas within the PRRD, the County of Grande Prairie, and Saddle Hills County. No re-entry is permitted at this time, and no timeline has been established for lifting the current Evacuation Orders.

Map correct as of June 12 @ 1300

Please note: This map is for illustrative purposes only. For official information on evacuation orders and alerts within the Peace River Regional District (BC), please visit: www.prrd.bc.ca.

The area of wildfire shown on the Alberta side of the border falls under the jurisdiction of the County of Grande Prairie and the Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership (GPREP). For the most current information on Alberta County of Grande Prairie evacuation orders, alerts, and local impacts, please visit GPREP: https://www.gprep.ca/.

Weather & fire behaviour – Kiskatinaw River Wildfire

From BC Wildfire: The fire did not experience any overnight growth. Today, minimal fire behaviour is expected, with temperatures at 11 degrees and relative humidities will steadily increase to 63.

A low, off of the coast of B.C., will bring a few days of steady precipitation to the Dawson Creek Zone. While the exact location and amounts of precipitation are still uncertain, forecasted precipitation is anticipated to be present in our wildfire area. Drying conditions are expected to resume again late Sunday afternoon and into Monday.

From AB Wildfire: Night operations were successful last night on this wildfire. Firefighting crews conducted operations on hot spots and carried out small-scale hand ignitions to remove unburnt fuel. Structure protection personnel remain active 24 hours a day in the Kelly Lake area.

Pocket Knife Creek Wildfire (G80352)

The Pocket Knife Creek Wildfire now spans an estimated 159,000 hectares, making it one of BC’s largest active wildfires. It remains classified as out of control by the BC Wildfire Service. In response, the Peace River Regional District has issued Evacuation Orders and Alerts for areas along Highway 97 North, including several nearby communities. The Prophet River First Nation is conducting voluntary evacuations for vulnerable members. As of June 9, Area Restrictions are in place on Crown land to support suppression efforts. The wildfire is believed to have been caused by lightning, with hot, dry weather driving its rapid growth.

Map correct as of June 11 @ 1300

Road conditions across the region

  • Highway 52 East, between One Island Lake Road and Hiding Creek Road, remains closed in both directions.
  • Alaska Highway North of Fort Nelson: The Highway was CLOSED at 6 am as scheduled at Km 485 and Km 648.
  • Alaska Highway South of Fort Nelson: The Highway remains open. Possible limited visibility from smoke.

Conditions can change at any time. Check Road Conditions: DriveBC

Community messages

The PRRD Emergency Operations Centre is committed to keeping you informed. Monitor trusted sources and follow all official Evacuation Orders and Alerts. Thank you for supporting neighbours and responders. Your resilience keeps our communities safe.

Messages to the Kelly Lake Community – June 11, 2025

Reminder for residents under Evacuation Orders at Kelly Lake – Please do not return to the area.

BC Hydro crews are working in the area to restore critical infrastructure and ensure systems are safe. We understand that some residents may be anxious to return to their homes. We want to remind everyone that even if services are being restored, the Evacuation Orders remain in effect for your safety. This is not a sign of imminent return. The area is still not safe for re-entry at this time.

There continues to be active wildfire activity and significant hazards in the area, and emergency responders need space to work safely.

At this time, there is no timeline for when re-entry will be permitted, or when the Evacuation Order will be lifted. We will provide updates as soon as we are able, and will communicate clearly and promptly when it is safe to return.

Please do not return to the area until the Evacuation Order has been officially lifted.

We know this is a difficult and uncertain time, and we thank you for your patience and cooperation as we continue to manage this response.

Mental well-being resources

  • Suicide Crisis Hotline: Call 9-8-8 |  Text 9-8-8  |  A safe space to talk, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
  • Mental Health Support Line: 310-6789 (no area code needed)
  • Mental Health – Help starts here: https://helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca/

Take care of your mental well-being by taking time each day to purposefully focus on something other than the emergency. Read, play, watch, work, enjoy. While challenging, you must take time to recharge. Next, turn anxiety into action. Take steps to make a plan and get prepared for next steps.

For further information that may pertain to the wildfire, emergency response and recovery:

BC Residents:

Alberta residents:

Please follow all official Evacuation Orders and Alerts issued by your local authority.

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