NETNEWSLEDGER WILDFIRE COVERAGE — PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – A temporary sigh of relief for some residents in central British Columbia, as the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George has lifted an evacuation order and alert for five properties affected by the Hixon Wildfire, burning 53 kilometres south of Prince George.
Though the alert was rescinded Saturday, officials warn the wildfire situation remains volatile. With the fire still listed as out of control by the BC Wildfire Service and 70 hectares already burned, emergency personnel remain on site monitoring for flare-ups and protecting key infrastructure.
🔥 Hixon Fire Update: Emergency Not Over
Crews worked overnight to establish structure protection and control spot fires, particularly in areas deemed high-risk. Fortunately, Highway 97 remains unaffected, though authorities caution that changing winds could shift fire behaviour rapidly.
Residents are being reminded to stay alert and be prepared for evolving conditions. The region, already experiencing early-season heat and wind, is a microcosm of what’s shaping up to be another intense fire year.
🌡️ 2025 Wildfire Season: Early Red Flags Across Western Canada
The Hixon fire is just one of dozens now burning across British Columbia and Alberta, with both provinces reporting above-normal fire starts for early May. Long-range forecasts from Natural Resources Canada and provincial fire agencies are warning of a hot, dry summer, with persistent drought conditions across much of Western Canada — a repeat, if not escalation, of 2023 and 2021’s devastating wildfire years.
In Alberta, areas west of Edmonton and north of Fort McMurray are now under extreme fire risk due to dry ground fuel, high winds, and low humidity.
Multiple wildfires are active near key energy and forestry regions, prompting pre-planning for evacuation routes and structure defense in vulnerable communities.
🌲 What This Means for Northwestern Ontario and Thunder Bay
For residents of Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario, the fire season is also tracking ahead of schedule. Ontario’s Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) reported multiple prescribed burns delayed due to wind, and early holdover fires in the Kenora and Red Lake districts.
Thunder Bay District emergency managers are already coordinating with MNRF crews to prepare equipment and air resources earlier than normal.
Smoke from Alberta and B.C. fires has already been detected in the atmosphere over Northern Ontario, a reminder of just how interconnected wildfire impacts have become.
🚨 Staying Prepared: Community Awareness Vital in 2025
Officials across Western and Northern Canada are urging communities to review evacuation plans, sign up for emergency alerts, and practice FireSmart Canada home mitigation strategies. The season is off to a fast and potentially dangerous start.
For Thunder Bay, the message is clear: while local fires have yet to spark on a major scale, conditions are ripe and preparedness now could save lives and property later.
