VANDERHOOF – Effective at 12:00 noon Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) on Friday, October 10, 2025, the Area Restriction Order for the Tsetzi Lake wildfire (G41658) area will be rescinded.
A reminder to the public, that the wildfire still remains an active worksite, and using fireguards for recreational access can lead to conflicts with heavy equipment operations or leave users stranded at impassable sections.
It is possible that there may be smouldering ground fires and smoke within the perimeter of the wildfire. If smoke is rising from well within a fire’s perimeter and the area is surrounded by black, burned material, this is typically not a concern.
Those utilizing the area for recreational purposes should be aware of hazards, including:
- Danger trees (fire-damaged trees that have become unstable and could fall over without warning)
- Ash pits (which may be hard to detect and can remain hot long after the flames have died down)
- Unstable soils and terrain
- Increased potential for landslides or rock falls
- Damaged trails or irregular trail surfaces
- Increased water runoff (which could lead to flooding or debris flows)
Impact of wildfire suppression activities on the landscape
During wildfire response, land damage may occur due to necessary wildfire suppression work. Common types of land damage caused by wildfire suppression activities include:
- Altered natural drainage systems and waterbodies from heavy equipment use
- Surface erosion and instability caused by exposed soils
- Increased fuel loading from clearing away vegetation
- Exposed protected areas from new roads, fire guards or open pathways
Rehabilitation
Wildfire land-based recovery is a phase of emergency management where steps are taken to recover native ecosystems and repair infrastructure affected by wildfires and/or wildfire suppression activities. Fireguards are the most common fire suppression activity that requires rehabilitation. Crews and heavy machinery will be working to deactivate all fire guards to ensure natural drainage patterns are restored.
Contact:
Prince George Fire Centre Information Team
BC Wildfire Service | Ministry of Forests
250-561-4629
InfoPG@gov.bc.ca
Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect