Monday, July 17, 2023

Cariboo Fire Centre Daily Update - July 17th, 2023

July 17th, 2023 Daily Update from Cariboo Fire Centre:

1) Weather Overview

The western Quesnel wildfires received rain last night/early morning. Many of the wildfires in western Chilcotin also received rain. This will dampened fuels and decrease the wildfire behaviour. BCWS will take advantage of these condition to achieve objectives before the temperatures begin to warm and fuels dry out again later this week.

Today, an upper low/trough will cross the fire centre, brining widespread showers and thundershowers. Locally heavy downpours will be experienced. It will be much cooler today as a result.

Tuesday the ridge rebuilds bringing drier and stable conditions. Temperatures will begin to increase throughout the week and winds will be generally light.

2) Active Wildfires by Zone

a) Central Cariboo Zone (Williams Lake; Cariboo RD Areas D,E,F)

There are 9 active fires in the Central Cariboo Zone. Of these fires, five are Out of Control, three are Being Held, and one is classified as Under Control

b) Quesnel Zone (Quesnel/Wells; Cariboo RD Areas A,B,C,I)

There are 19 active fires in the Quesnel Zone. Three are Wildfires of Note, and as of July 14, 2023 five of these fires are being managed by an incident management team (IMT).

The Gillies Complex is compromised of the C11290, C11243, C11499, and C11437. Structure protection specialist are supporting wildfires for this complex. Assessments are ongoing and apparatuses will be deployed where it is required.

Townsend Creek (C11290)

Operational Objectives
Control lines have been established and tied into natural features around the entire fire perimeter.

Crews will continue to mop up any remaining hot spots within the perimeter of the fire and along control lines.

Other Information

Size: 2,784 hectares
Detection Date: July 8, 2023
Location: 2.5km East of Margaret Lake

Evacuation Alerts and Orders: The Townsend Creek Area Evacuation Order was extended, and a Baker Creek Evacuation Alert was created on July 11.

Pelican Lake (C11437)

Operational Objectives
On the northern flank of the fire, the fire’s edge has been brought to control line by utilizing hand ignitions. Heavy equipment guard construction has been completed from the park to the Grease Trail around the northern flank of the fire.

Today, ground personnel will continue creating a hand fuel free guard in the Titetown Park on the southwest flank.

Ground crews will begin utilizing direct attack methods on the southeastern section of the wildfire with the support of skimmers. Skimmer action will help cool hot spots to allow hand guard construction to begin.


Other Information
Size: 2,700 Hectares
Detection Date: July 9. 2023
Location: 2.5km North of Pelican Lake

Evacuation Alerts and Orders: An Evacuation Order was issued by Cariboo Regional District on July 11.

Teepee Lake (C11499)

Operational Objectives
1427 Division
Today, focus will be to gain access to the east side of the blackwater river to establish control lines around that section of the wildfire.

Ground crews are mopping up the southeastern flank of the wildfire and establishing fuel free hand guards where required.

1499 Division
Heavy equipment will focus on connecting containment lines on the eastern flank of the wildfire.


Other Information
Size: 2,970 Hectares
Detection Date: July 10, 2023
Location: 4.3km Southeast Teepee Lake

Evacuation Alerts and Orders: The Cariboo Regional District issued an Evacuation Order for the Teepee Lake Area on July 12.

Branch Road (C11243)

Operational Objectives
Control lines have been established around the entire wildfire, utilizing natural features where possible.

Ground crews have mopped up sections along the line on the north, northwest, southwest and eastern flanks along the control lines of the wildfire.

Ground crews will continue to mop up any hot spots along the perimeter of the wildfire, with a focus on the southeast and eastern flanks of the wildfire. Where ground crews are able to, burn out of fuels will occur to clean up pockets of unburned fuels along the control lines.


Other Information
Size: 1,182 Hectares
Detection Date: July 7, 2023
Location: West of 7 Branch Road

Evacuation Alerts and Orders: On July 8 The Cariboo Regional District issued an Evacuation Alert for the Branch Road Wildfire.

c) Chilcotin Zone (Cariboo RD Areas J/K)

There are currently five active fires in the Chilcotin Zone.

Cariboo Fire Centre will be assuming control of G41158 (Gatcho Lake), G41165, G41189, VA1167, VA1456, VA1462.

Gatcho Lake (C41158)

Operational Objectives
The Cariboo Fire Centre has assumed control of this fire (Yesterday's fire update mistakenly reported that VanJam was taking over)

Other Information
Size: 911.6 Hectares
Detection Date: July 6, 2023
Location: 1.5 kilometre southeast of Gatcho Lake

Anahim Peak (C51571)

Operational Objectives
Yesterday, increased fire behaviour continued with displays of Rank 3 and 4. With the support of heavy equipment, ground crews and air support the wildfire did see additional growth.

Rain was received last night which will allow heavy equipment and ground personnel to establish control lines around the excursion from July 17.

Today, focus will be on construction of control lines on the east flank where it crossed the dean road and river.

Ground crews are working along the Dean River to establish a fuel free hand guard. The north flank is being assessed on where control lines can be established.

Danger tree falling and assessing is continuing on the western flank.

Ground crews on the west division will continue to mop up the beeftrail road and east of the Dean River.


Other Information
Size: 1,950 Hectares
Detection Date: July 11, 2023
Location: Northeast of Anahim Peak

Evacuation Alerts and Orders: The Cariboo Regional District issued an Evacuation Order for this wildfire.

d) 100 Mile House Zone (100 Mile House; Cariboo RD Areas G,H,L)

NO active wildfires

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.

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