July 4th, 2021 Cariboo Fire Centre Wildfires Update

Courtesy of the Cariboo Fire Centre:

There are currently 42 active wildfires within the Cariboo Fire Centre.

The fire danger rating in the Cariboo is currently mostly High across the centre, with some pockets of Extreme and Moderate. 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 remind the public that it is prohibited to operate an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or drone within five nautical miles or over a wildfire. This is illegal and endangers our personnel, and we cannot operate aircraft when UAVs or drones fly through restricted airspace. 

Wildfire of Note

There is four Wildfire of Note within the Cariboo Fire Centre. Below is a summary for your information, and you can also find these details on the Wildfire of Note page,  which is updated twice daily. Before this summary is sent out, the Wildfire of Note pages will be updated.

SW of Deka Lake

The wildfire southwest of Deka Lake is estimated to be 300 hectares in size. A controlled burn operation was planned for this wildfire for today. Due to unfavorable conditions, this has been postponed until conditions are suitable.

South of Canim Lake

The wildfire is south of Canim Lake and is estimated to be one hectare. A Heavy-lift helicopter that can carry up to 1,660 gallons of water was on site of the wildfire today.

An evacuation alert for the Canim Lake area was collaboratively issued by Cariboo Regional District and Canim Lake First Nation. 

For more information on evacuation alerts and orders, please visit the Cariboo Regional District Website at www.cariboord.bc.ca.

Big Stick Lake

The wildfire north of Big Stick Lake is estimated to be 85 hectares in size. Heavy equipment and personnel worked throughout the night to continue building guard with on the wildfire. Eighty percent of the east and north flank of the fire had a heavy equipment guard built yesterday.

 

An evacuation alert for the Big Stick Lake area has been issued by the Cariboo Regional District.

 

For more information on evacuation alerts and orders, please visit the Cariboo Regional District Website at www.cariboord.bc.ca.

Churn Creek Protected Area

The wildfire is estimated to be 700 hectares in size. A controlled burn will occur today on the wildfire to prevent spread on the southern and western flanks of the wildfire. Ground personnel will blackline prior to beginning hand ignitions.

An evacuation alert has been issued by the Cariboo Regional District.

 

For more information on evacuation alerts and orders, please visit the Cariboo Regional District Website at www.cariboord.bc.ca.

Summary of other wildfires

Below is a summary of some of the active fires, by zone, as of today. For current sizes on wildfires not listed below, please check the All Current Wildfires web page at http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/Fires.asp?Mode=normal&AllFires=1&FC=7

Quesnel Fire Zone

There are five active wildfires burning in this zone.

1. C11170 – The wildfire burning south of Batnuni Lake is estimated at 5 hectares in size. There are 19 firefighters and 2 helicopters suppressing this incident. Crews completed 60 percent of blackline around the wildfire.
2. C11189 – The wildfire burning south of Kluskus Lake is estimated to be 10 hectares in size. Wildfire is displaying minimal fire activity. Guard construction and danger tree falling is now complete. The Objectives for today are to establish a blackline. 

Central Cariboo Zone

There are five active wildfires burning in this zone.

1. C31056 – The wildfire near McKinley Lake is estimated at 900 hectares in size. Nineteen firefighters, equipment task force team and two helicopters continue to suppress the wildfire. The ground personnel continue to work to establish access to the fire and engage in direct attack on the west flank.
2. C21250 – The wildfire in the Churn Creek Protected Area is estimated at 700 hectares in size.  A controlled burn will occur today on the wildfire to prevent spread on the southern and western flanks of the wildfire. Ground personnel will blackline prior to beginning hand ignitions.

100 Mile Fire Zone

There are 30 active wildfires burning in this zone. Six wildfires were called out yesterday. All fires and reports of wildfires are continuing to be assess and actioned in priority sequence. The most notable wildfires are:

1. C41087 - The wildfire north of south of Green Lake Pressy FSR (near Watch Lake) is estimated at just over 15 hectares in size. The stage of control is considered is Being Held. Ground personnel are working to establish a wetline. Minimal fire activity is being on scene today.
2. C41308 – The wildfire burning northeast of Si Lake is estimated at 27 hectares in size. A fuel free guard continues to be established and ground personnel are focusing on laying hose and getting water to the wildfire.
3. C41191 – The wildfire burning west of Succour Lake is estimated at 12 hectares in size. There is limited access to this incident and the wildfire is currently burning toward the lake. No structures are threatened at this time. Smoke was highly visible to residents and BCWS staff will continue to assess this wildfire.
4. C41088 – The Lone Butte wildfire is estimated at six hectares in size and the stage of control is Being Held. The Lone Butte fire department continue to support this incident.