August 1st, 2024 update from Cariboo Fire Centre

Information courtesy of the Cariboo Fire Centre/BC Wildfire Service - August 1st, 2024:

General Overview:

Over the last week, widespread precipitation across the Fire Centre has aided crews in suppression efforts on active wildfires making significant progress. On Wednesday, July 31 the Groundhog Complex demobilized and turned over the complex wildfires, including the Antler Creek Wildfire of Note, to the Cariboo Fire Centre.

Although precipitation has been received, it is not enough to impact drought codes. Indices are expected to increase as we enter a drying trend with more seasonable temperatures. Forest fuels remain dry and vigilance when recreating in the backcountry this summer is essential.

The Cariboo Fire Centre continues to prioritize initial attack of newly detected fires and maintain preparedness. Resources are deployed to wildfires throughout the Centre and the Province, with appropriate resources remaining in the region for local preparedness and response.

To prevent human caused wildfires and protect public safety, campfires remain prohibited throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre. In addition to Category 1 campfires, The Cariboo Fire Centre and the Tsilhqot’in (Xeni Gwet’in) Declared Title Area have prohibited Category 2, and Category 3 open fires including the following activities:

Fireworks

Sky lanterns

Burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description

Binary exploding targets

Tiki and similar kinds of torches

Chimineas

Air curtain burners

The campfire prohibition does not include the use of outdoor stoves. As per the Wildfire Regulation, an outdoor stove is a CSA-rated or ULC-rated device used outdoors for cooking, heat or ambiance that burns charcoal briquettes, liquid fuel or gaseous fuel, and has a flame height that is less than 15 cm tall.

For more information or updates on the bans and restrictions for the Cariboo Fire Centre, visit the Cariboo Fire Centre bans and restrictions website at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/fire-bans-and-restrictions/cariboo-fire-centre-bans

Fire Activity:

33 Wildfires

1 Wildfire of Note

18% of wildfires - Out of Control

42% of wildfires - Being Held

39% of wildfires - Under Control

33 Wildfires currently active

7 New Wildfires last week

Active Wildfires by Zone:

* Zone 1 (Quesnel) -- 15 Active Wildfires

* Zone 2 (Williams Lake) and Zone 3 (Horsefly) -- 12 Active Wildfires

* Zone 4 (100 Mile House) -- 6 Active Wildfires

* Zone 5 (Chilcotin) -- 0 Active Wildfires

Weather Forecast:

An upper ridge is building to the south of the Fire Centre and will bring generally clear and stable conditions. Light and somewhat variable winds are expected in most fire zones. Good RH recovery is expected overnight.

Temperatures will edge higher Friday with slightly lower RH values. There is a potential for some thundershowers west of the Fraser river and south of Williams Lake.

Outlook: Temperatures are expected to remain in the mid-high 20s Saturday with minimum RH values. A low risk of a few late day thundershowers is possible in the area west of the Fraser river. The risk of thundershowers increases on Sunday to the west of the Fraser river with some light northerly winds. On Monday a weak cold front from the north will push through the FC bringing temperatures down to the low 20s and higher RH values. More widespread thundershower and shower activity is expected with light- moderate northerly winds.

Near seasonal temperatures are expected into the new week with some scattered thundershower and shower activity. Light to moderate northerly winds are forecast for the rest of the week.