July 31st, 2023 BC Fire Risk Map & Daily Update from the Cariboo Fire Centre:
1) Weather Update
Isolated afternoon showers and thundershower activity are expected throughout most of the Cariboo Fire Centre. Winds are expected to remain light with some gusts picking up in the afternoon. Tuesday's forecast is expected to be similar.
2) General Update from the Cariboo Fire Centre
As of July 14, 2023 the four fires that comprised the Gillies Complex are being managed by a dedicated Incident Management Team (IMT), the IMT will transition control of these four fires back to the Quesnel Zone on Tuesday, August 1, 2023.
As of July 14, 2023 the 10 wildfires that comprised the Kappan Complex are being managed by a dedicated Incident Management Team (IMT).
Today will be the last daily wildfire update for the Cariboo Fire Centre due to sustained positive progress on fires. For up to date information on wildfires, visit the BC Wildfire Service Website at https://wildfiresituation.nrs.gov.bc.ca/map?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Cariboo-Fire-Centre-Daily-Wildfire-Update---July-31&utm_source=Envoke-Daily-Email&utm_term=Cariboo-Fire-Centre-Daily-Wildfire-Update---July-31
3) Active Wildfire Situation, by Zone
a) Central Cariboo Zone (Williams Lake; Cariboo RD Areas D,E,F)
There are 8 active fires in the Central Cariboo Zone. Of these fires, five are Out of Control, three are Being Held
Operational Objectives
Fires C31143, C31349, C31442, C31684 and C32266 are located in the Horsefly Lake-Quesnel Lake area, are classified as Out of Control, and are being handled with a modified response.
C30399, C30572, and C30446 are located in the Horsefly Lake-Quesnel Lake area, are classified as Being Held, and are being handled with a modified response.
b) Quesnel Zone (Quesnel/Wells; Cariboo RD Areas A,B,C,I)
There are 9 active fires in the Quesnel Zone. Of these fires, four are Out of Control, one is Being Held, and four are Under Control.
C12135 - Burgess Creek
Operational Objectives
This fire is highly visible to surrounding communities and commuters on Highway 97. Crews continue patrol and mop up on the South, East and West flanks.
Other Information
Being Held
Detection Date: July 22, 2023
Location: N of Gibraltar Mines
C11437 - Pelican Lake
Operational Objectives
Persisting favorable fire weather conditions and rainfall have led to benign activity around the fire perimeter. Heavy equipment guards are now completed, with remaining inaccessible areas to be targeted by firefighters to tie into natural features. All guards continue to hold and are being actively monitored by firefighters and aircraft.
Ground crews have utilized planned ignitions to bring the fire to the guard. Extinguishing hotspots remains a priority, infrared drone scans are being used to detect heat within the fire perimeter and allow ground crews to pinpoint heat sources within the fire perimeter.
Other Information
Out of Control
Detection Date: July 9, 2023
Location: 2.5km North of Pelican Lake
Wildfire of Note
C11499 - Teepee Lake
Operational Objectives
Persisting favorable fire weather conditions and rainfall have led to benign activity around the fire perimeter. Where accessible, heavy equipment has completed machine guards. Ground crews continue to tie remaining guards into natural features.
Infrared drone scans are being used to detect heat within the fire perimeter and allow ground crews to pinpoint and action remaining hot spots. Extinguishing hotspots will be a priority over the coming days and if conditions are favorable, ground crews may utilize planned ignitions to bring the fire to the guard.
Other Information
Out of Control
Detection Date: July 10 2023
Location: 4.3km south-east of Teepee Lake
Wildfire of Note
C11405
Operational Objectives
BC Wildfire is working with BC Parks to monitor the fire's activity within park parameters.
Other Information
Out of Control
Detection Date: July 9, 2023
Location: 2.4km NW of Corkscrew Creek
c) Chilcotin Zone (Cariboo RD Areas J/K)
There are currently six active fires within the Chilcotin Zone. Of these fires, three are Out of Control, two are Being Held, and one is Under Control.
C51974 - Bull Canyon Park
Operational Objectives
The Bull Canyon Park Area Evacuation Alert was rescinded on July 26th.
Highway 20 is not at risk of closing or obstruction from fire activity at this time.
Crews are on site continuing mop up and patrol.
Other Information
Being Held
Detection Date: July 20, 2023
Location: 2.8km N of Chilko-Newton Road
C51981
Operational Objectives
Crews are on site continuing mop up and patrol.
Other Information
Being Held
Detection Date: July 20, 2023
Location: Location W of Alexis Creek
C51753
Operational Objectives
This fire is a modified response with daily monitoring by air.
Other Information
Out of Control
Detection Date: July 15, 2023
Location: 4.3 km S of Tatlayoko Lake
d) 100 Mile House Zone (100 Mile House/Cariboo RD Areas G,H,L)
C42346
Operational Objectives
An Initial Attack crew is on site actioning the fire with a water delivery system established.
Other Information
Under Control
Detection Date: July 20, 2023
Location: 1km SE of Onion Lake (southeast of Canoe Creek, near the northern boundary of the Thompson Nicola Regional District, Electoral Area “E”)
Finally -- if residents' see fire activity, of any kind, they are encouraged to contact the BC Wildfire Service by phone at 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on a cell or use the BC Wildfire app for Apple or Android devices to report a fire.
More B.C. farmland is being put back into production, providing increased food security for British Columbians, with more than 4,500 hectares (11,300 acres) leased by new and young farmers through the B.C. Land Matching Program (BCLMP).
“The next generation of B.C. farmers are going to play a pivotal role in the province’s food security,” said the Hon. Pam Alexis, BC's Minister of Agriculture and Food. “By helping to match them with affordable and productive farmland, we are supporting producers starting or growing their agricultural business while ensuring we have more fresh local food available to feed and nourish our communities.”
The program, delivered by the Young Agrarians resource network for farmers, has helped match 284 new farmers with land throughout B.C. with 54 matches made in the past year.
Farmers such as Jason Stashko and Krystyna Delahaye, who began their first farming venture in less-than-ideal soil, are now thriving at their Seed of Life Farm. The couple found it challenging to find affordable and suitable land in the Lower Mainland until they were matched through the BCLMP to 0.8 hectares (two acres) of fertile farmland in Surrey.
“When we sought to put down our farm roots, we were discouraged by the unavailability of land, rental costs and the various steps involved,” said Krystyna. “When we reached out to the BCLMP, we found help liaising with landholders, lease navigation and helpful advice all delivered with professional knowledge. They helped us begin our journey successfully and made us feel confident in starting Seed of Life Farm.”
Krystyna and Jason are now successfully growing fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers at their farm. By supplying local restaurants, stores and farmers markets, they have fostered local partnerships and offer seasonal community-supported agriculture boxes.
The BCLMP offers one-on-one support through the program’s five land matchers who work to connect farmers with land throughout the province. The supports help new and established farmers start and expand their farm operations and create more regional and sustainable farmland. The result is economic development and greater food security for British Columbians.
“Access to land is the No. 1 barrier facing new farmers today,” said Sara Dent, executive director, Young Agrarians. “With today’s land prices, it is essential that new and established farmers can access affordable land to grow food for the future of our local food systems. We are glad to have the support of the Province in this important work of strengthening B.C.’s food security.”
The program is part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s Grow BC initiative, which supports young farmers and food producers looking to begin or expand their agriculture business. By addressing challenges such as land access and business planning, the BCLMP seeks to increase the number of new farmers in the province, help grow existing farms and contribute to B.C.’s food security.
Learn More:
For information about the B.C. Land Matching Program, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/land-matching
Young Agrarians B.C. Land Matching Program: https://youngagrarians.org/bc-land-matching-program
For information about B.C.’s New Entrant Strategy for the next generation of agricultural leaders, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/agriculture-and-seafood/farm-management/farm-business-management/6322_agri_newentrantstrategy_web.pdf
A backgrounder follows.