The southeast flank of the Kiskatinaw River wildfire facing east as pictured on June 4, 2025. (Image Credit: BC Wildfire Service)

By Victor Kaisar

Wildfire Effort

Kamloops-area firefighters join wildfire battle in northeastern B.C.

Jun 6, 2025 | 9:59 AM

KAMLOOPS — A number of firefighters from the Kamloops-area are heading to northeastern B.C. to help fight ongoing wildfires.

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) says four firefighters from Vavenby and three from Blackpool are heading to Dawson Creek to fight the 119-square kilometre Kiskatinaw River fire.

“They’re bringing with them a fire tender from Vavenby and structural protection unit from Blackpool,” the TNRD said in a statement.

“[They] will be supporting firefighting efforts for up to 14 days as part of this rotation. Thank you for your service and please stay safe!”

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A three-person crew from Barriere Fire Rescue is also heading north with a bush truck.

“We still have members available in Barriere to respond to local calls, including a Duty Chief and our Mutual Aid Partners,” Barriere Fire Rescue added in a statement of its own.

“Thank-you to our crew for responding!”

While no Kamloops Fire Rescue crews have been sent north, Deputy Chief Ryan Cail has deployed to Dawson Creek to work as a Task Force Leader.

Elsewhere, three firefighters from Merritt are also heading north to the Fort Nelson area to battle the 84-square kilometre Summit Lake wildfire.

“Bush Truck 1, our Type 6 Wildland Engine, has been deployed to assist with ongoing wildfire operations,” the Merritt Fire Rescue Department said. “A crew of three dedicated firefighters is en route, ready to take on the challenges ahead.

“Please join us in sending them your support and wishing them safe travels and a successful deployment.”

An evacuation order is in effect around the Kiskatinaw River fire, while evacuation orders and alerts are in effect around the Summit Lake fire. Both those blazes are, as of the moment, the only two wildfires of note in British Columbia. The BC Wildfire Service says an incoming cold front could trigger ‘extreme fire behaviour’ in northeast B.C. Friday (June 6).

As of publication, there were 68 active wildfires across British Columbia, 62 of which were in the Prince George Fire Centre, where all 41 out-of-control wildfires are located.

While there are just three fires across the Kamloops Fire Centre, all of which are listed as being under control, the fire danger rating for the area is considered moderate with pockets of high to extreme fire danger rating.

That fire danger rating is expected to increase as much of southern B.C. is set to bake under an “early season heat event” with warmer than normal temperatures expected into next week.