1) Weather Update
The upper ridge continues its drift eastward towards the Alberta Rockies today as an intense low-pressure system off the central coast influences the fire weather picture in the Cariboo.
Temperatures will trend higher today, generating more frequent crossovers at peak burning periods. Cooling aloft ahead of a weak cold front being pushed inland by the offshore low will bring increased instability and more extensive shower/thundershower activity to the Fire Centre.
We expect strong downdrafts near any thundershower/storm. Thundershower activity may linger after sunset as the weak front pushes eastward through the Fire Centre. Winds will diminish after sunset and shift to the W-NW this evening/overnight following the weak cold front passage.
Cooler and slightly more humid conditions are expected for Friday’s burning period in the wake of the weak front. W-NW winds are seen for all zones under generally unstable conditions, with additional thundershower activity developing during the afternoon/evening. Another stronger Pacific cold front will push eastward across the Fire Centre overnight Friday.
2) Active Wildfires by Zone
a) Central Cariboo Zone (Williams Lake/Cariboo RD Areas D,E,F)
There are eleven active fires in the Central Cariboo Zone. Of these fires, six are Out of Control, four are Being Held, and one is Under Control.
b) Quesnel Zone (Quesnel/Wells; Cariboo RD Areas A,B,C,I)
There are 16 active fires in the Quesnel Zone. Three are Wildfires of Note, and as of July 14, 2023 four of these fires (including the Wildfires of Note) are being managed by an Incident Management Team (IMT).
C11405 and C11407 are within the Itcha Ilgachuz Provincial Park and are being monitored by the Chilcotin Zone and BC Parks.
Townsend Creek (C11290)
Operational Objectives
Control lines have been established and tied into natural features around the entire fire perimeter.
Crews have completed mop on 70% of the fire and will continue to mop up any remaining hot spots within the fire's perimeter and along control lines. Blackline is completed around 90% of the fire perimeter.
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 of the fire, the fire's edge has been brought to the control line via planned hand ignitions.
The north flank of the fire on the north side of the road looks good along the perimeter to the west (parks edge). Ground crews created a hand guard in Titetown Park, utilizing natural guards where possible.
Heavy equipment guard construction has been completed from the park to the Grease Trail around the fire's northern flank. Structure Protection is prioritized - Crews set up and maintain SPU where required.
The southeast side is very active near Batnuni Road. Bridge is in place, and heavy equipment is moving into place to build a guard along the southeast side.
Other Information
Size: 2,700 Hectares
Detection Date: July 9. 2023
Location: 35 kilometers southeast of 70 Mile House
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) previously C11499 & C11427
Operational Objectives
1427 Division
Wildfire is up against an old burn on the east flank. The Nazko road is holding as a guard on the west flank.
Ground personnel will continue to mop up burned sections with planned ignitions and continue to complete containment lines with the support of heavy equipment and with priority on the northeast flanks. Natural features will be used to tie in control lines such as road systems and the river in the area. There is now a guard around the majority of the fire.
Plan to utilize IA crews to place hand guards where required along the north flank between the river and the lake. Structure protection has been set up and will continue to be prioritized.
A 1499 Division
Pockets of smouldering throughout, otherwise normal/not priority.
B 1499 Division
This wildfire is priority.
Focus on the east flank of the wildfire where there is potential for it to move towards the Blackwater River and Nazko Road.
A machine guard has been built around the north and east flank. Heavy equipment will focus on continuing to connect containment moving to the southeast portion of the wildfire.
The wildfire runs into an old wildfire where the guard and planned ignitions occurred to the north, and to the south is the Kluskoil Park. This has slowed the rate of spread on this south ern flank. Hotshots utilized small-scale hand ignitions, with air support along the east flank.
Other Information
Size: 2,970 Hectares
Detection Date: July 10, 2023
Location: 4.3km Southeast Teepee Lake
Evacuation Alerts and Orders: The Regional District of Cariboo Regional District (CRD) has issued an Evacuation Alert and Order
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, focusing on the southeast and eastern flanks of the wildfire.
Heavy equipment is working along berms to clean up the lines.
Other Information
Size: 1,350 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 within the Chilcotin Zone.
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.
Satah Mountain (C51562)
Operational Objectives
Heavy equipment continues to focus on opening up old roads through regen in the north and south parts of the fire for access and contingency fuel breaks.
On the southern flank of the wildfire, heavy equipment are tightlining to get control lines close to the fire perimeter.
The northern and northeastern flank of the fire the main control line and contingency guard is being planned Terrain is extremely rocky in the area, making the utilization of equipment challenging.
Other Information
Size: 5200 Hectares
Detection Date: July 11, 2023
Location: N of Satah Mountain
Gatcho Lake (C41158)
Operational Objectives
Daily assessments will continue to occur to monitor the wildfire.
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: 4,306 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
Yesterday, due to increased winds and warmer and drier conditions, increased fire activity on the north/northwestern flank of the fire crossed control lines.
Ground crews are working along the Dean River to establish a fuel-free hand guard. Ground crews on the west division will continue to mop up the Beeftrail road and east of the Dean River. Guard construction has been completed on the south flank of the wildfire.
Today, an aerial ignition will occur on the northeastern tip of the wildfire to prevent further spread in areas. It will utilize pre-existing roads (Dean River Road) to conduct the planned ignition. The area will cover approximately 150 hectares in size.
Heavy equipment (skidder with tanks) will be strategically stationed on the line to support, along with ground crews and aircraft that will bucket water onto hot spots, if required. This will only occur if site and weather conditions are suitable. To secure the area, the planned ignition will remove unburnt fuels between the fire’s edge and control lines.
Heavy equipment will construct a guard on the northwest top and tie into the completed guard. Assessments are underway to plan for tying in control lines into natural features on the northwest flank.
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.
Young Creek (VA1735)
Operational Objectives
Ground crews are utilizing direct attack methods on the southeastern fire perimeter, where ground crews are wetlining the fire’s edge.
They will work their way southeast and move north up the flank of the fire to limit spread. Heavy equipment are constructing a control line from the west side of Highway 20 moving west that will tie into natural features on the south flank of the wildfire.
Air support is available to support ground personnel to cool hot spots, where required.
Heavy equipment are establishing contingency guards utilizing old fire guards east of the wildfire.
Other Information
Size: 2,518 Hectares
Detection Date: July 15, 2023
Location: Young Creek
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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