Tuesday, July 18, 2023

Cariboo Fire Centre Daily Update - July 18th, 2023

July 18th, 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. BC Wildfire Service will take advantage of these condition to achieve objectives before the temperatures begin to warm and fuels dry out again later this week.

Today, showers and thundershowers are expected across the Fire Centre. It will be much cooler today as a result.

Tuesday we expect 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 eight active fires in the Central Cariboo Zone. Of these fires, four are Out of Control, and four are Being Held.

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

There are 15 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 is still in effect, however portions have been downgraded to an Alert. The Baker Creek Evacuation Alert is still in effect.

Pelican Lake (C11437)

Operational Objectives
On the northern flank, the fires edge has been brought to the control line by planned hand ignitions. Heavy equipment guard construction has been completed from the park to the Grease Trail around the northern flank of the fire. Heavy equipment will begin to establish access on the southeast flank and begin a guard.

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

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


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 issued by Cariboo Regional District on July 11 was downgraded to an Evacuation Alert on July 17.

Teepee Lake (C11499)

Operational Objectives
1427 Division
Yesterday, heavy equipment was able to gain access to the east side of the Blackwater River to establish control lines around that section of the wildfire. Heavy equipment will continue to complete containment lines on the northeast flank utilizing natural features when possible

Ground crews will be utilizing planned ignitions and continuing to mop up the southeastern flank of the wildfire and control lines.

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. Portions of the Teepee Lake Area were downgraded to an Evacuation Alert on July 17.

Branch Road (C11243)

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

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.


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 four active fires within the Chilcotin Zone.

The Cariboo Fire Centre will be assuming control of multiple fires from the Coastal Fire Centre and the Prince George Fire Centre, including the Gatcho Lake Cluster.

The Kappan Complex is made up of the following nine fires; VA1456, VA1462, VA1167, VA1735, Gatcho Lake (G41158 now C11158), C51562, C51571, G41165 and G41189. These fires are being managed by an incident management team (IMT)

Gatcho Lake (C41158)

Operational Objectives
The Cariboo Fire Centre has assumed control of this fire.
Resource sharing will be ongoing with Prince George, Cariboo and Coastal Fire Centres.

Structure protection personnel are setting up equipment and prioritizing structure protection.

The number one priority for the BC Wildfire Service is ensuring the safety of first responders, and crews have been pulled back on fires that are exhibiting dangerous fire activity. Aggressive fire behaviour is expected to continue through the next several days. At this time, the main objective is keeping transportation corridors open for access and egress to support fire operations and evacuation routes.


Other Information
Size: 4306 Hectares
Detection Date: July 6, 2023
Location: 1.5 kilometres southeast of Gatcho Lake

Evacuation Alerts and Orders: The Cariboo Regional District issued an Evacuation Order for this wildfire on July 9 which was extended on July 11.

Anahim Peak (C51571)

Operational Objectives
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 the fire 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 to establish control lines.

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.

Structure Protection Crews have assess the area, and have set-up and maintained structure protection apparatuses where required.

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 on July 15.

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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