A high-pressure system settled over the Cariboo last week, creating extremely hot and dry conditions. These well-above seasonal temperatures paired with compounded years of drought have elevated the wildfire risk in the Cariboo and across the province. Tuesday (July 9th) was the hottest and driest day with the high pressure ridge system that was over the province. Late into the evening there was a weather event in the northeastern portion of the Cariboo Fire Centre producing lighting with minimal precipitation. This has resulted in 32 new starts in the Cariboo Fire Centre over the last 24 hours, with 4 of them being officially called out.
In the Quesnel zone, Cornish Mountain wildfire (C10795) located five kilometres Northwest of the community of Wells has grown to 70 Ha in size. BCWS crews are on scene with both heavy equipment and aviation support. An evacuation Alert and Order was implemented by the District of Wells Wednesday night. The Cariboo Regional District has also implemented an evacuation alert. There are currently no threats to any infrastructure or communities at this time
The BC Wildfire Service is prepared to respond to new wildfires and increased wildfire activity. Wildfire personnel are constantly monitoring and assessing conditions, and resources are stationed and deployed in alignment with heightened risk. Additional resources from outside of the centre are being deployed to support response efforts within the region.
Also, Effective at 12:00 p.m. (noon) Pacific Daylight Time on Friday, July 12, 2024, Category 1 campfires will be prohibited throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre and the Tsilhqot’in (Xeni Gwet’in) Declared Title Area. In addition to Category 1 campfires, Category 2, and Category 3 open fires, the prohibited activities will now be expanded to the following:
1. Fireworks
2. Sky lanterns
3. Burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description
4. Binary exploding targets
5. Tiki and similar kinds of torches
6. Chimineas
7. Air curtain burners
Fire Activity
Fires currently burning: 32
New fires last week: 0
Active Fires
Quesnel Zone (C1): There are 22 active fires in the Quesnel Zone. Below are the wildfires which are currently being actioned:
C10795 (Cornish Mountain) - is 70 hectares in size and is out of control. There are 52 firefighters on the wildfire with support from heavy equipment and aviation.
C10807 - is less than a hectare in size and is out of control. There are five firefighters on the scene.
C10806 - is less than a hectare in size and is under control. There are two firefighters on the scene of the wildfire
C10804 - is less than a hectare in size and is out of control. There are five firefighters working on the wildfire.
Williams Lake (C2): There is no active fires in the Williams Lake Zone.
Horsefly (C3): There are 5 active fires in the Horsefly Zone. Below are the wildfires which are currently being actioned.
C30779 - is 7 hectares in size and is being held. There are 7 firefighters on the scene of the fire.
C30828 - is less than a hectare in size and is out of control. There are 6 firefighters working on the wildfire.
100 Mile House (C4): There are no active fires in the 100 Mile House Zone.
Chilcotin (C5): There are no active fires in the Chilcotin Zone.
Zone Fire Danger Rating :
Quesnel – Moderate to High Fire Danger
Williams Lake – High to Very High Fire Danger
Horsefly – Moderate to High Fire Danger
100 Mile House – High Fire Danger
Chilcotin – High to Very High Fire Danger
Weather Forecast:
Conditions are stabilizing in the wake of a cold front which moved through the Cariboo on Wednesday. Wind speeds will be lower today but afternoon gusts 25-35 km/h are still expected. A disturbance will move eastward from the Pacific Thursday night which will bring instability into the Cariboo on Friday. Isolated afternoon showers or thundershowers are expected in zones west of the Fraser while a risk of a thundershower is possible in zones east of the Fraser.
5 Day Outlook
Indices are forecast to trend higher through the weekend as a series of disturbances move through the Cariboo. A very weak disturbance on Saturday will bring a low probability of afternoon showers or thundershowers to southern sections with light westerly winds. Conditions are expected to stabilize on Sunday ahead of another disturbance moving eastward from the Pacific. This system is forecast to move into the Chilcotin on Monday afternoon with isolated showers and thundershowers associated. This disturbance will continue eastward on Monday night with convection associated.
Fire Prohibitions
Category 2/3 Open Fires – in place since March 28th
Category 1 Open Fire (Small campfires) – To be in place as of 12 noon (pm), July 12th until November 1st, 2024 or rescinded earlier
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