A fast-moving fire tore through the Gitwangak community in northwest B.C. on Monday, April 21, 2024, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The blaze, fueled by bone-dry conditions and heavy winds, quickly spread from a grass fire to engulf multiple buildings, including homes, sheds, a trailer, and an abandoned recreational building. Eyewitnesses reported seeing vehicles exploding and homes engulfed in flames within minutes.
More than a dozen vehicles were damaged or destroyed, and two Gitwangak firefighters were hospitalized for smoke inhalation. The fire department responded to the blaze along with members of the Gitanyow and Gitsegukla fire departments and the B.C. Wildfire Service.
The fire took several hours to bring under control as ashes shot into the air, threatening other parts of the community. In total, three fire trucks and approximately 50 people responded to the incident.
The Gitwangak Fire Department expressed gratitude for the response and emphasized the incident as a wake-up call for the challenges ahead. The department reminded the community of the dangers of open burning and the speed at which fires can spread.
The fire in Gitwangak serves as a stark reminder of the severe drought conditions facing much of B.C. and the heightened risk of wildfires. Provincial officials have issued open burning bans throughout much of the Interior and north, and fire officials are bracing for another challenging season after last year’s record-breaking destruction.
Multiple wildfires are currently burning across B.C., including the Burgess Creek wildfire in the Cariboo, which continues to burn out of control. Residents in the tiny town of Endako, northwest of Prince George, were initially under a wildfire evacuation alert, but it has since been rescinded. However, another alert remains in place for the Burgess Creek wildfire, with residents advised to be ready to leave on short notice.
The B.C. Wildfire Service urges all residents to take precautions to prevent wildfires and to be prepared for potential evacuations during the upcoming fire season.
