Two fires from 2023 have reignited in northeastern B.C., sparking an evacuation alert and the deployment of crews to the area. The Nogah Creek and Patry Creek wildfires, both near Fort Nelson, went underground for the winter and became sleeper fires, also known as zombie fires. Pedro Roldan-Delgado, an information officer for the B.C. Wildfire Service, explained that the fires reignited after the snow melted and the ground thawed this spring.
With wind speeds expected to exceed 70 kilometers per hour, there is a potential for extreme fire behavior at both sites. Rob Fraser, mayor of Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, expressed concerns about the “big dry storm” forecasted for the weekend, which could lead to a major spread of the fires outside the current control area.
The Nogah Creek fire is located about 60 kilometers east of Fort Nelson, while the Patry Creek fire is approximately 40 kilometers from the junction of the Alaska Highway and Highway 77. As of May 10, there are 119 active wildfires in the province, with only three categorized as out of control, including the Patry Creek and Nogah Creek fires.
The BCWS issued an evacuation alert on May 9, urging residents near the fires to be prepared to evacuate on short notice. The province is experiencing drought conditions, with a snowpack of only 66 percent of normal, leading to elevated drought hazards. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the severity of forest fire risks in B.C., linking it to climate change and emphasizing the need for preparedness in the face of what is expected to be a challenging wildfire season.