SMITHERS – The BC Wildfire Service is implementing an Area Restriction Order for the vicinity of the Nilkitkwa FSR around wildfires R31581 and R31391, located between the Babine River Corridor Park and the Nilkitkwa River. Access is restricted up the Nilkitkwa FSR beginning at the junction of the 480 Road as well as up the 480 Road. The size of the area restriction reflects the continued need to protect the public and first responders in areas where there are ongoing fire suppression activities.
This Order will take effect on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, at 12 p.m. (PDT) and remain in effect until 12 p.m. (PDT) on Sept. 15, 2023, or until the Order is rescinded.
This Area Restriction Order applies to crown land within the geographic boundaries described below.
West Boundary:
- From coordinate G to coordinate H (55° 35.808′, -126° 50.940′) at 181.54 degrees for 11.80 km.
North Boundary:
- From coordinate F to coordinate G (55° 42.164′, -126° 50.639′) at 243.77 degrees for 5.58 km.
East Boundary:
- From coordinate E to coordinate F (55° 43.494′, -126° 45.866′) at 318.74 degrees for 15.09 km.
South Boundary:
- From coordinate H along the Babine Corridor boundary to coordinate I (55° 33.995′, -126° 47.314′).
- From coordinate I to coordinate J (55° 35.006′, -126° 41.669′) at 72.42 degrees for 6.22 km to the junction of the Nilkitkwa FSR (also known as the 4000 road) and the 484 road (road permit 5897-05).
- From coordinate J to coordinate A at 46.99 degrees for 1.94 km. From coordinate A (55° 35.718′, -126° 40.321′) at the junction of the Nilkitkwa FSR (also known as the 4000 road, road permit 5897-01) and the 480 road (road permit 5897-09) along the south side of the 480 road’s Right-of-Way north to coordinate B (55° 36.102′, -126° 40.282′) at the junction of the 480 road and the 481 road.
- From coordinate B southeast to coordinate C (55° 35.442′, -126° 38.370′) along the 481 road.
- From coordinate C to coordinate 4 (55° 35.339′, -126° 38.120′) at 126.01 degrees for 0.32 km to coordinate D.
- From coordinate D north along Charleston Creek to coordinate 5 (55° 37.388′, -126° 36.364′) to coordinate E.
For a map of the affected area click here.
Under this Order and section 11(2) of the Wildfire Act, a person must not remain in or enter the restricted area without the prior written authorization of an official designated for the purposes of the Wildfire Act, unless the person enters the area only in the course of:
(a) Travelling as person acting in an official capacity;
(b) Traveling for the purpose of supporting wildfire suppression activities;
Failure to comply with Section 11 restricted area requirements may result in a violation ticket for $1,150.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone or through the BC Wildfire Service mobile app.
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Contact:
Northwest Fire Centre Information Team
BC Wildfire Service
BCWS.NorthwestInformationOfficer@gov.bc.ca
250 876-6844