Saturday, July 15, 2023

Cariboo Fire Centre Fire Update - July 15th, 2023

This afternoon - the Cariboo Fire Centre on active wildfires in the Cariboo- Chilcotin region, as follows:

1) Weather Overview

Western Chilcotin will be smoke free today, but in all other areas smoke is anticipated to continue to impact temperatures, relative humidity and flying ability . This has resulted in lower fire behaviour. There will be light winds with some gustier conditions expected in western Chilcotin.

On Sunday, a trough is expected to approach the coast resulting in convective conditions over the next two days. There will be potential for heavy downpours and strong erratic wind gusts.

Monday, there will be showers and a risk for thundershowers. It is anticipated that the centre will receive between 5 to 10 mm of rainfall, local convection could result in higher amounts. This will improve visibility in most areas of the centre.

2) Active Wildfires 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, four are Being Held, and four are Under Control.

Five of these wildfires (C30442, C30399, C30446, C30572, and C31442) are located in the Wet Belt and are monitor only.

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

There are 17 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, C11427, C11499, and C11437.

Smoke from the wildfires in the area and in norther portions of the Province is affecting the ability of fixed and rotary wing aircraft to provide continued support.

Wildfire of Note - Townsend Creek (C11290) is 1500 hectares. This wildfire is being managed by the Gillies Complex.
There are 68 firefighters and 9 support staff that are assigned to this wildfire. Heavy equipment continues to support the incident as well.

Yesterday, July 14, heavy equipment and ground crews will continue to establish remaining guard on the southeastern flank of the fire. A successful planned ignition occurred to reinforce controls lines along a line of about 4 kilometres. This removed unburnt fuels on the southern flank.

Today, heavy equipment and ground crews will continue to establish remaining guard and burn out fuels where required.

Structure protection specialist are supporting wildfires in the area of this fire. Assessments are ongoing and apparatuses will be deployed where it is required.

The Townsend Creek Area Evacuation Order was extended and a Baker Creek Evacuation Alert was created July 11.

Wildfire of Note - Pelican Lake (C11437) is 2700 hectares and is being managed by the Gillies Complex.
There are 46 firefighters and 3 support staff that are assigned to this wildfire. Heavy equipment continues to support the incident as well.

Progressively secure the southeastern flanks by utilizing small-planned ignition operations and heavy equipment.

Structure protection specialist are supporting wildfires in the area of this fire. Assessments are ongoing and apparatuses will be deployed where it is required.

An Evacuation Order was issued by Cariboo Regional District on July 11.

Wildfire of Note - Teepee Lake (C11499) is 1500 hectares. This wildfire is being managed by the Gilles Complex.
There are 34 firefighters and 3 support staff that are assigned to this wildfire. Heavy equipment continues to support the incident as well.

There has been no growth on this wildfire over the past 2 days.

Heavy equipment will focus on creating containment lines on the eastern flank of the wildfire. Planned hand ignition will occur on the northeastern flank to secure control lines that have already been established.

Structure protection specialist are supporting wildfires in the area of this fire. Assessments are ongoing and apparatuses will be deployed where it is required.

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

Branch Road (C11243) is 1182 hectares. This wildfire is being managed by the Gillies Complex

There are 79 firefighters are assigned to this wildfire. Heavy equipment is also onsite and assisting with suppression efforts.

Today, crews and equipment will continue to build guard around the fire on the northwest flank to establish containment lines around the wildfire.

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

C11427 is estimated to be 250 hectares in size. This wildfire is being managed by the Gillies Complex.
There are 8 firefighters are assigned to this wildfire. Heavy equipment is also onsite and assisting with suppression efforts.

Yesterday, ground crews conducted hand ignitions on the south flank to help tie containment lines from the Nazko road to the Blackwater River.

Today, ground personnel will mop up sections that were burned. Continue to complete containment lines with the support of heavy equipment and with priority on the north and east flanks. They will utilize natural features to tie in control lines using the road and local rive. DTA and falling is occurring where necessary to ensure that it is safe for firefighters to work and establish a fuel free guard.

Green Mountain (C11458) is 20 hectares.
A guard has been laid around 100% of the fire and crews will remain active on the ground. This Wildfire is classified as Being Held.

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

There are currently five active fires in the Chilcotin Zone.

The Chilcotin Zone continues to assist with wildfires C11405 and C11407 in the Itcha Ilgachuz Provincial Park.

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

C51571 is northeast of Anahim Peak
There are 23 firefighters and 1 support staff and heavy equipment supporting this incident.

Yesterday, the ground personnel successfully burnt pockets of unburn fuel along the guard to further reinforce secure containment lines. Additional spots were found on the north flank, however firefighters were able to get containment and are mopping up the spots.

Today, focus will be on continuing to push guard on the north flank from beef trail to dean river,

Structure Protection Crews are working to pre-emptively assess values in the area, as well as set-up and maintain applied structure protection apparatuses where required.

The Cariboo Regional District issued an Evacuation Order for this wildfire.

C51562 is north of Satah Mountain.
Today, heavy equipment will focus on guard construction to create control lines on the western flank of the fire. If conditions are suitable, hand ignitions will occur off the western flank to secure the line of unburnt fuels.

Structure Protection Crews are working to pre-emptively assess values in the area, as well as set-up and maintain applied structure protection apparatuses where required.

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

There is currently zero active fires in the 100 Mile House Zone

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.


Tips for how to report a fire:


* Estimate distance from where you are to suspected location of wildfire

* Other observations – fire size, type of fuels involved (tree, grass, etc), any infrastructure or homes at risk, terrain of location, nearby water sources

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