August 23rd Daily Wildfire Report - Cariboo Fire Centre

Courtesy of the BC Wildfire Service/Cariboo Fire Centre:

The August 23/18 Daily Wildfire Report, provided by the BC Wildfire Service/Cariboo Fire Centre

Cariboo RD EOC Status, as at 1:47pm today (Aug 23rd) -- currently active Evacuation Alerts/Orders -- 7 Evacuation ORDERS and 5 Evacuation ALERTS -- Full details here

Air Quality at 1:00pm -- Both Quesnel/Williams Lake at "10+" or Very High Health Risk and is slated to remain this way for the next 24 hours

Weather Outlook -- Rain/Smoke and 1 day of sun (Quesnel/Williams Lake only) over the next 5 day period with temps between 15-20 C

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There are currently 60 active wildfires within the Cariboo Fire Centre. Yesterday, two fires were called out and no new fires were discovered.

The fire danger rating west of the Fraser River is generally ‘extreme’ with pockets of ‘high’. East of the Fraser, it is generally ‘high’ with pockets of ‘moderate’ and ‘extreme.’ The BC Wildfire Service website displays the current fire danger rating for the province here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/wildfire-situation/fire-danger

We are now in a cooler trough pattern and smoke will continue to persist. Today, there will be precipitation across the southern portion of the fire centre, accompanied by lightning. The northern portions of the fire centre will also see some lighting activity with minimal precipitation. 

Summary of Wildfires of Note

There are currently six Wildfires of Note in the Cariboo Fire Centre. Up to date information on the Wildfire of Note can be found atwww.bcwildfire.ca. For more information on evacuation alerts and orders, please visit the Cariboo Regional District Website atwww.cariboord.bc.ca.

Baezaeko Complex

·         Shag Creek

·         Blackwater River

·         Narcosli Creek

·         North Baezaeko

Other Wildfires of Note

·         Mayfield Lake

·         Wild Goose Lake

Summary of Other Wildfires 

Below is a summary of other active fires, by zone, as of first thing this morning. Within this summary, only fires that are over four hectares and are in Out of Control status will be highlighted. For current sizes on wildfires not listed below, please check the All Current Wildfires web page.

Quesnel Fire Zone

There are 10 active wildfires burning in this zone. One is Being Held, two are Under Control and seven fires are in Out of Control status.

1.       The Yuzkli Lake fire is south of Big Valley Creek and estimated at 100 hectares. Ground personnel and heavy equipment will continue to build guard in areas that are accessible.

2.       The fire west of Mustang Lakes is estimated at 123.5 hectares. There are eight ground personnel on site. Ground crews will continue to patrol and mop-up where necessary.

Williams Lake Zone

There are seven active wildfires burning in this zone. There are two fires Being Held, and five fires Under Control.

1.       The Mayfield Lake Fire is estimated at 300 hectares (see Wildfires of Note section above).

Horsefly zone

There are 21 active wildfires fires burning in this zone. Seven fires are Being Held, four are Under Control, and ten are in Out of Control status.

1.       The Quartz Mountain fire is mapped at 522 hectares. This fire is being monitored closely by the BC Wildfire Service.

2.       The Boulderly Creek fire, located on the east arm of Quesnel Lake is mapped at 233 hectares. This fire is being monitored closely by the BC Wildfire Service.

3.       The fire west of Warttig Lake is estimated at 50 hectares. This fire is being monitored closely by the BC Wildfire Service.

4.       The wildfire East of Mitchell Lake is estimated at 5.5 hectares. This fire is being monitored closely by the BC Wildfire Service.

5.       The Roaring River Valley fire is estimated at 1000 hectares. This fire is located in the high alpine and is being monitored closely by the BC Wildfire Service.

100 Mile zone

There are 14 active fires. One fire is Being Held, three are Under Control and ten are in Out of Control status.

1.       The fire southwest of Clearwater Lake, north of Mahood Lake is estimated at 596 hectares. This fire is a Modified Response fire and is being monitored closely by the BC Wildfire Service.

2.       The Hendrix Ridge fire is estimated at 110 hectares. Ground crews will continue to patrol the perimeter of the fire to ensure that there are no hot spots outside of the guard.

3.       The fire three kilometres west of McNeil Lake is estimated at 216 hectares. This fire is a Modified Response fire and is being monitored closely by the BC Wildfire Service.

4.       The fire 16 kilometres north of Canim Lake is estimated at 407 hectares. This fire is a Modified Response fire and is being monitored closely by the BC Wildfire Service.

5.       The fire 1.5 kilometres northeast of McNeil Lake is mapped at 45 hectares. This fire is a Modified Response fire and is being monitored closely by the BC Wildfire Service.

6.       The fire near Jonah Lake is mapped at 92 hectares. This fire is a Modified Response fire and is being monitored closely by the BC Wildfire Service.

7.       The fire located near Gotchen Lake in the Deception Creek area is estimated at 52 hectares. This fire is being monitored closely by the BC Wildfire Service.

8.       The located north of Lang Lake is estimated at 497 hectares. There are 18 personnel and heavy equipment on site of the fire. Ground crews will focus on establishing a hose lay on the southeast side of the fire.

Chilcotin zone

The Chilcotin Fire Zone currently has eight active wildfires. Four fires are Out of Control and four fires are in Under Control status.

1.       The Bald Face fire is estimated at 2083 hectares. There are 28 ground personnel on site, along with heavy equipment. 

2.       The Wilderness Lake fire is burning in high elevation and is mapped at 411 hectares. This fire is now being jointly managed by the Tweedsmuir Complex.