Cariboo RD EOC Update - August 15th, 2018

Courtesy of the Cariboo RD's Emergency Operations Centre:

EVACUATION ORDERS AND ALERTS

Current Evacuation Orders

• 3 current evacuation orders
• 101 CRD residents impacted
• 8,362 km² on order

South West Narcosli Creek Area Evacuation Order

• Issued August 11, 2018 @ 6:00 pm
• Impacts 33 properties in the Narcosli Creek area
• Due to the Narcosli Creek fire (C12302)
• Adjacent to the Narcosli Creek area alert, and part of the original alert is included in the order

North Western CRD Boundary to West of Nazko (Shag Creek) Expanded Evacuation Order

• Issued Aug. 11 @ 8:30am
• Impacts 901 properties
• Includes the Titetown, Kluskus and Batnuni areas
• Due to the Shag Creek wildfire (C11837)
• Initial evacuation order issued Aug. 8 @ 1PM and impacted 93 properties
• Initial evacuation alert issued Aug. 7 @ 8PM and impacted 17 properties
• Adjacent to the border with the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechacko, visit rdbn.bc.ca for evacuation alerts or orders in their region

Tatelkuz Lake Expanded Evacuation Order

• Issued Aug. 10 @ 8:15pm
• Impacts 71 properties
• Replaced and expanded on the Tatelkuz Lake Alert #2 issued Aug. 7 @ 8pm
• Due to the Chutanli Lake wildfire (G41607)
• Adjacent to the border with the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechacko, visit rdbn.bc.ca for evacuation alerts or orders in their region

Current Evacuation Alerts

• 7 current evacuation alerts
• 4,316 CRD residents impacted
• 5,471 km² on alert

Fraser River West to Michelle Bazaeko FSR Area Evacuation Alert (Reduced Boundaries)

• Issued Aug. 14, 2018 @ 6:30pm
• Communities north of Quesnel between the Fraser River and Highway 97 are now all clear, including Ten Mile Lake, Cinema, Moose Heights and Strathnaver (1,138 properties)
• Communities west of the Fraser River remain on alert, including Nazko, Baker Creek and Blackwater.
• Remaining areas on alert includes 939 properties
• Initial alert issued August 11, 2018 @ 10:00 am
• Due to the Blackwater River fire (C12328)

Lang Lake/Murphy Lake Evacuation Alert (Downgraded from an Order)

• Issued Aug. 13 @ 4pm
• Impacts 72 properties
• Initial order was issued Aug. 10 @ 7:15pm and has now been downgraded back to alert
• Adjacent to the Hawkins Lake/Eagle Creek Evacuation Alert
• Due to the second Lang Lake wildfire, North of Lang Lake (C42393)

Dean River North Area Evacuation Alert

• Issued August 11 @ 10:00 pm
• 65 properties affected
• Due to the Shag Creek Fire (C11837)

Narcosli Creek Area Expanded Evacuation Alert

• Issued August 11, 2018 @ 9:15 pm
• 2,266 properties included (includes those in the original alert)
• Includes communities of Bouchie Lake, Milburn, Narcosli Creek and West Fraser
• Due to the Narcosli Creek fire (C12302)
• Initial alert issued Aug. 10 @ 11:30am
• City of Quesnel also issued an evacuation for West Quesnel on Aug. 10 at 11:30am (1,722 properties)

Intersection of Upper Dog Creek Road and Gustafson Dog Creek FSR Area Evacuation Alert

• Issued August 11, 2018 @ 4:30 pm
• 1 property
• Due to the Wild Goose Lake Fire (C41745)
• Adjacent to the border with the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, visit tnrd.ca for evacuation alerts or order in their region

Mayfield Lake Area, North to Buckley Drive, West to Fraser River Evacuation Alert

• Issued Aug 10 @ 1:30pm
• Impacts 181 properties
• Includes the areas around Springhouse, Pablo Creek, English Road and the northwest part of Chimney Valley (Buckley Drive)
• Due to the Mayfield Lake fire (C22371)

Hawkins Lake & Eagle Creek Area Evacuation Alert

• Issued Aug. 10 @ 12:30pm
• Impacts 382 properties
• Due to the Lang Lake wildfire, south of Lang Lake (C41238)

CARIBOO FIRE CENTRE WILDFIRE UPDATE

The following is the Cariboo Fire Centre’s wildfire update bulletins by zone as well as an overall update below.

• Quesnel Zone: https://bit.ly/2vPfzBg
• Williams Lake Zone: https://bit.ly/2PaqMEy
• Horsefly Zone: https://bit.ly/2B9MYvL
• 100 Mile Zone: https://bit.ly/2Bdbxb3
• Chilcotin Zone: https://bit.ly/2PdImrf

Wildfire Overview

There are currently 83 active wildfires within the Cariboo Fire Centre. Four fires being were called out yesterday, with three in the Quesnel Fire Zone and one within the 100 Mile Fire Zone. Four new fires were discovered yesterday within the Chilcotin Fire Zone.

Fire Danger Rating

The fire danger rating in the Cariboo Fire Centre is currently ‘extreme’ to ‘high’ west of the Fraser River. East of the Fraser River it is ‘high’ to ‘low’.  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

Weather

The extensive smoke is persisting throughout the fire centre today. We are anticipating a mix of sun and clouds with a slight chance of afternoon showers and a slight risk of thunderstorms in the 100 Mile zone this afternoon. Highs will range between 21 to 27 degrees and we are anticipating northwesterly winds today.
Summary of Wildfires of Note
Below is the summary for the nine Wildfires of Note within the Cariboo Fire Centre, up to date information on these fires can also be found at www.bcwildfire.ca.
Shag Creek (C11837)
The Shag Creek wildfire is west of Shag Creek and north of the Itcha mountains. It is estimated at 9300 hectares. The fire at this time is being closely monitored by the Cariboo Fire Centre. An Evacuation Order has been implemented by the Cariboo Regional District for properties in the Shag Creek area. For more information, please visit the Cariboo Regional District Website: www.cariboord.bc.ca.
Blackwater River (C12328)
The Blackwater River fire is east of Blackwater River in the Nazko area. It is mapped at 4519 hectares.
There are 23 personnel, four helicopters, and seven pieces of heavy equipment on site. Ground crews worked throughout the night to establish guard on the northern flank. Crews will reinforce machine guard with burn operations if conditions are favourable.  An Evacuation Alert and Order has been implemented by the Cariboo Regional District. For more information, please visit the Cariboo Regional District Website: www.cariboord.bc.ca
Narcosli Creek (C12302)
The Narcosli Creek fire is located north of Tzenzaicut Lake, west of the Fraser River. It is mapped at 3400 hectares and has 50 per cent containment. There are 99 firefighters, five helicopters and eleven pieces of heavy equipment on site. The hand lit burn operations on the northern flank were successful in cleaning up unburned fuels. A 25 per cent wet guard is in place on the southern flank. Heavy equipment will focus on completing the machine guard on the northeast flank. All of the contingency guards are in place, along with a tight line guard along close to fire perimeter on the northern flank. Today, heavy equipment will work to complete any unguarded areas along the fires’ perimeter. Ground personnel will focus on preparing for burn operations that will assist with securing the guard, weather conditions permitting. An Evacuation Alert and Order has been implemented by the Cariboo Regional District for properties in the West Quesnel area. For more information, please visit the Cariboo Regional District Website: www.cariboord.bc.ca
North Baezaeko (C11937)
The North Baezaeko fire is located south of Kluskoil Lake Park, about 85 kilometres west of Quesnel. It is estimated at 2500 hectares. There are 23 personnel, two helicopter, eight pieces of heavy equipment and one water tender on site. Crews worked throughout the night to establish containment lines with equipment. Ground crews will work to establish contingency lines and will burn off where possible in order to reinforce the guard. An Evacuation Alert and Order was implemented by the Cariboo Regional District due other fires in the area and overlaps with this fire also. For more information, please visit the Cariboo Regional District Website: www.cariboord.bc.ca
Mayfield Lake (C22371)                                      
The Mayfield Lake fire is located northwest of Mayfield Lake and south of Williams Lake. It is estimated at 300 hectares. There are 52 firefighters, one helicopter and three water tenders on site. This fire is 100 per cent guarded around the perimeter but there are still unburned fuels between the guard and the fire, therefore, this is considered to be 60 per cent contained. Crews are working on the northern and eastern flanks to prepare for controlled ignitions. An Evacuation Alert has been implemented by the Cariboo Regional District for properties in the Mayfield Lake area. For more information, please visit the Cariboo Regional District Website: www.cariboord.bc.ca
Horsefly Lake (C31678)
The Horsefly Lake fire is located north of Horsefly Lake and east of Haggens Point Road. It is estimated at 1139 hectares and is 90 per cent contained. There are 30 firefighters, nine pieces of heavy equipment and two helicopters on site. Ground crews are securing the southwest perimeter to Horsefly Lake. Crews are patrolling the north perimeter and extinguishing hot spots.
Lang Lake (C42138)
The Lang Lake fire is five kilometres southeast of Lang Lake and 10 kilometres north of Canim Lake. It is estimated at 440 hectares and 70 per cent contained. There are 15 firefighters and two pieces of heavy equipment on site. Ground crews will continue working to remove fuel between the fire and the guard. This fire is 100 per cent guarded. An Evacuation Alert been implemented by the Cariboo Regional District. The Order that was in place for the C42393, located north of C42138, has been downgraded to an Alert. For more information, please visit the Cariboo Regional District Website: www.cariboord.bc.ca
Twin Creek (C42324)
The Twin Creek fire is located southeast of 70 Mile House. It is estimated at 585 hectares and is now 100 per cent contained. There are 50 firefighters, one helicopter, and three pieces of heavy equipment on site. This fire is in Being Held status. This fire is now 100 per cent machine guarded and will no longer be considered a Wildfire of Note, therefore, will be removed from the webpage at 10:00 on August 16, 2018. Crews are working to extinguish hot spots within 50 feet of the guard. The Evacuation Order was rescinded; however, the Evacuation Alert remains in place by the Thompson Nicola Regional District for properties near the Bonaparte Plateau, including properties on Hutchinson Road.  For more information, please visit the Thompson-Nicola Regional District website: www.tnrd.ca.
Wild Goose Lake (C41745)
The Wild Goose Lake fire is west of Meadow Lake and west of the community of Clinton. It is estimated at 7228 hectares and is 40 percent contained. There are 46 firefighters, one helicopter, and seven pieces of heavy equipment on site. Ground crews have made good progress and are working to extinguish hot spots on the eastern flank. An Evacuation Alert and Order has been implemented by the Thompson Nicola Regional District and Cariboo Regional District for properties surrounding Wild Goose Lakes. For more information, please visit the Thompson-Nicola Regional District website: www.tnrd.ca and the Cariboo Regional District Website: www.cariboord.bc.ca
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 19 active wildfires burning in this zone. There are three fires Being Held, five fires Under Control and eleven fires in Out of Control status.

1. There are two fires in the area of North Baezaeko, south of Kluskoil Lake Park. The eastern fire is estimated at 2500 hectares and the western fire is estimated at 370 hectares.
2. The Yuzkli Lake fire is south of Big Valley Creek and estimated at 40 hectares. There are no communities or structures are threatened at this time.
3. The fire west of Mustang Lakes is estimated at 100 hectares. This fire is in steep terrain that is inaccessible to ground crews.

Williams Lake Zone
There are 12 active wildfires burning in this zone. There is one fire Being Held, are ten fires Under Control and one fires in Out of Control status.

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

Horsefly Zone
There are 22 active wildfires fires burning in this zone. All fires have been assessed and actioned in priority sequence. Seven fires are Being Held, four are Under Control, and eleven are out of Control

1. The Quartz Mountain fire is estimated at 700 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 estimated at 80 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 Tisdal Lake fire is estimated at six hectares. This fire is being monitored closely by the BC Wildfire Service.
5. The wildfire East of Mitchell Lake is estimated at 5.5 hectares. This fire is being monitored closely by the BC Wildfire Service.
6. 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 22 active fires. All fires have been assessed and actioned in priority sequence. Four fires are Being Held, six are Under Control and 12 are in Out of Control status.

1. The Young Lake Fire is estimated at 245 hectares and now in Being Held status. There are seven firefighters on site.
2. The fire southwest of Clearwater Lake, north of Mahood Lake is estimated at 80 hectares. This fire is being monitored closely by the BC Wildfire Service.
3. The fire north of Lang Lake is estimated at 345 hectares. This fire is being monitored closely by the BC Wildfire Service.
4. The Hendrix Ridge fire is estimated at 110 hectares. This fire is being monitored closely by the BC Wildfire Service.
5. The fire three kilometres east of McNeil Lake is estimated at 15 hectares. This fire is being monitored closely by the BC Wildfire Service.
6. The fire 16 kilometres north of Canim Lake is estimated at 117 hectares. This fire is being monitored closely by the BC Wildfire Service.

Chilcotin Zone
The Chilcotin Fire Zone currently has eight active wildfires. Four fires are Out of Control, three fires are Under Control and one fire is Being Held.

1. Two new fires are located near Bald Face Mountain, east of the Itcha Ilgachuz Park. The northern fire is estimated at 300 hectares and the southern fire is estimated at 110 hectares. There are 47 firefighters and nine pieces of heavy equipment working to establish guard on these fires. *Please note one of these fires is located within the Quesnel zone*
2. The Wilderness Lake fire is estimated at 4.1 hectares. This fire is being monitored closely by the BC Wildfire Service.
3. The fire south of Bull Canyon is estimated at five hectares. Airtankers actioned the fire yesterday, and 16 ground personnel are on site this today and equipment is working to build a machine guard.
4. The fire south of Alexis Lake is estimated at 70 hectares. Helicopters bucketed this fire yesterday and there are 30 firefighters on site today.
5. The fire northeast of Chilcotin Lake is estimated at 0.1 hectares. The initial attack crew was able to update the status to Being Held this morning.

For more information on the current wildfire situation, visit www.bcwildfire.ca or contact the Cariboo Fire Centre Information Officer at carinfo@gov.bc.ca or 778-799-2100.