1) Weather Overview
Warm, mostly dry and hazy conditions are expected across the fire centre for the next two days. The thickest smoke will be near the Fraser today with visibilities from 1 to 5 miles. Some instability over southern Chilcotin and 100 Mile areas this afternoon will give a risk of thundershowers. Winds will be light and occasionally gusty W-NW.
Highs will be in the mid to upper 20s and Relative Humidity (RH) in teens to 20s. Should see crossover conditions near and west of the Fraser. Tonight should be dry and hazy with winds easing to light and variable. RH recoveries will be fair to good.
On Thursday smoke will be widespread giving occasionally limited visibilities. Models suggest slight instability east side of Coast range with a risk of thundershowers. Continued drying conditions expected. Light and occasionally gusty W-NW winds. Temperatures may creep up slightly and RHs down a little depending on smoke concentrations.
2) Wildfire Situation Report by sub-region
a) Central Zone (Williams Lake and Cariboo RD Areas D,E,F)
There are 13 active fires in the Central Zone. Of these fires, five are Out of Control, four are Being Held, and four are Under Control.
Four of these wildfires (C30442, C30399, C30572 and C31442) are located in the Wet Belt and are monitor only.
The remaining wildfires in the Horsefly Region are being actioned by BCWS ground crews and air support as required.
There are four wildfires within the Central Cariboo Region, none of these wildfires are Out of 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 multiple wildfires have Evacuation Orders or Alerts placed on them
High midday temperatures, shifting winds, low humidity and dry conditions have resulted in aggressive fire behaviour and challenging firefighting conditions.
Smoke from the wildfires is affecting the ability of fixed and rotary wing aircraft to provide continued support.
The safety of BC Wildfire Service personnel, ground crews, air crews, and the public remains the highest priority.
Wildfire of Note - Townsend Creek (C11290) is 921 hectares. Evacuation Order and Alert
Over 60 Wildfire Firefighters are assigned to this wildfire. BCWS Personnel are assisted by local and provincial contract firefighters. Heavy equipment is assigned to this wildfire and aircraft continues to assist with fire suppression efforts. Fire suppression activity continued overnight July 11 with a heavy focus on structure protection. Due to intense structure protection efforts for the last two days, no structures have been lost. Ground crews will be conducting planned ignitions, aerial ignitions are planned for today if conditions cooperate.
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 300 hectares. Evacuation Order
BCWS ground crews are actioning the wildfire with support from heavy equipment. Aircraft were able to lay fire retardant July 11. Due to smoke air support is limited today. Structure Protection in assigned to this fire and will be arriving late July 12.
An Evacuation Order was issued by Cariboo Regional District on July 11.
Wildfire of Note - Teepee Lake (C11499) is 1500 hectares. Evacuation Alert
The Teepee Lake wildfire was discovered by aerial reconnaissance late July 10 at 80 hectares.
BCWS Personnel are onsite. Heavy equipment is assisting in wildfire suppression today. Structure protection is being prioritized for this wildfire.
The Cariboo Regional District issued an Evacuation Order for the Teepee Lake Area on July 12.
Branch Road (C11243) is 1182 hectares. Evacuation Alert
Over 40 Wildfire Firefighters are assigned to this wildfire. BCWS Personnel are assisted by local and provincial contract firefighters. BCWS Crews are onsite with additional support personnel and local and provincial contract wildfire firefighters. Heavy equipment is also onsite and assisting with suppression efforts. BC Wildfire Service personnel are utilizing planned ignitions and indirect fire suppression tactics. Airtankers and helicopters assisted in fire suppression throughout the day July 11.
On July 8 The Cariboo Regional District issued an Evacuation Alert for the Branch Road Wildfire.
Trout Lake (C11308) is 6 hectares
BC Wildfire Service personnel are onsite with support from local contract wildfire firefighters and heavy equipment. There is a control line including natural fire barriers around 100% of the wildfire. This wildfire is Being Held. Nazko road remains open with flaggers onsite to ensure safe travel.
Green Mountain (C11458) is 6 hectares.
The Green Mountain wildfire is highly visible to surrounding communities. It is holding at 6 hectares, with no noticeable growth July 11. Infrastructure in the vicinity of this wildfire is not threatened.
Crews remain active on the ground July 11. A guard has been laid around 100% of the fire and is holding.
c) Chilcotin Zone (Cariboo RD Areas J/K)
There are currently three active fires in the Chilcotin Zone.
The Chilcotin Zone continues to assist with wildfires C11405 and C11407 in the Itcha Ilgachuz Provincial Park.
The Gatcho Complex (C41158), which is located in the Prince George Fire Centre is being actioned by an IMT in the VanJam Zone.
Resources are limited and are affecting the ability to action wildfires C51562 and C51571 to the fullest extent.
C51571 has heavy equipment onsite which is focusing on placing a guard to the south. BC Wildfire Service IA crews will arrive later today.
C51562 has industry personnel onsite standing by.
These fires are aggressive and displaying very unsafe fire behaviour. Due to fuel loading, lack of egress routes and the volatility of the fires, BCWS will be limiting ground crews to work only in areas safe to do so.
Safety of BC Wildfire Service personnel, industry crews, and the public is our primary concern.
d) 100 Mile House Zone (100 Mile House; Cariboo RD Areas G,H,L)
No active wildfires currently in this 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
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