Prescribed burn planned near Doc English Road (Riske Creek)

Courtesy of the Cariboo Fire Centre (BC Wildfire Service):

The BC Wildfire Service in collaboration with the Cariboo-Chilcotin Natural Resource District will conduct an ecosystem restoration prescribed burn at the north end of Cotton Road near Riske Creek and Tl’esqox First Nation.

 

When and where

Burning is expected to begin as early as September 18, 2026, and may continue periodically until October 31.

The prescribed burn will cover approximately 29 hectares in size at the north end of Cotton Road near Riske Creek and Tl’esqox First Nation.

 

What to expect

Smoke and flames will be visible to motorists travelling along Highway 20, and may be visible to surrounding residences.

Crews will ignite forest fuels within pre-established boundaries to remove combustible materials.

Ignitions will only proceed with favorable weather and atmospheric venting, allowing smoke to clear quickly.

Personnel will remain on site until there is no risk of the fire spreading beyond the perimeter and return daily until the fire is out.

While burning is underway, traffic control may be on-site to ensure the safety of public and firefighters, short delays may occur.

Smoke from within the perimeter of the burn may be visible up to 72 hours after ignition.

Objectives of this prescribed burn

Reduce wildfire risk to the Tl’esqox First Nation and residences of Cotton Road and surrounding area.

Use fire to restore forest health to encourage a properly functioning ecosystem, improving the grassland forage for future wildlife and cattle grazing.

Strengthen collaboration between the Tl’esqox First Nation, the Cariboo-Chilcotin Natural Resource District - Range Branch and the Cariboo Fire Centre to grow capacity and knowledge for cultural and prescribed burning outside of emergency response situations.

 

Learn more

Fire is a natural process in many of B.C.’s ecosystems. The BC Wildfire Service works regularly with land managers to undertake fuel management activities, including the use of prescribed burns, to help reduce the severity of future wildfires and related threats to communities.

 

Learn more about prescribed burning online at prescribedfire.ca or find more resources here.

 

Reporting

To report an unattended campfire or open burning violation calling call the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277.

To report illegal fires in a local fire department’s jurisdiction, call 9-1-1.

Dial *5555 on a cell phone or call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free to report a wildfire.

Contact

Fire Information Officer

Cariboo Fire Centre | BC Wildfire Service

778 799-2100

CaFCInfo@gov.bc.ca

Webster Creek Fire Area - Evacuation ALERT RESCIND (Cariboo RD - Area "K")

Courtesy of Cariboo RD's Emergency Operations Centre:

May 4, 2026

12:00pm

The Evacuation Alert issued April 30, 2026, at 3:15 p.m. for the Webster Creek Fire Area has been lifted by the Cariboo Regional District Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).

Evacuation Alert Lift

An Evacuation Alert or Order may need to be reissued if it is deemed necessary. Residents must be prepared if the area receives a future evacuation order or alert on short notice. Residents are advised to ensure they maintain their emergency kits and monitor the EOC and BC Wildfire’s social media pages to stay informed.

To ensure public safety, stay out of fire affected areas and obey all warning and hazard signs.

For areas that have been impacted by wildfire, residents should be aware there may be danger trees in wildfire affected areas. Home owners and private land owners are recommended to work with an insurance agency to have an assessment done by a qualified arborist on their private property by a qualified arborist.

Air quality may remain poor as a result of smoke from nearby fire activity. Those with respiratory issues, small children, and the elderly should consider this before they choose to return to the area. The BC Centre for Disease Control and regional health authorities have further information on their websites about the health impacts of wildfire smoke.

Residents are encouraged to register for the Cariboo Chilcotin Emergency Notification System to receive a text, call or email regarding any new Evacuation Alerts and Orders impacting them. You must register to receive notifications from this system, as these are non-intrusive broadcast alerts.

Prescribed burn planned along Highway 20/Hanceville Area...

Courtesy of the BC Wildfire Service:

When and where

• Burning is expected to begin as early as Friday, March 27, 2026 and may continue periodically until June 1, 2026 

• The prescribed burns will take place on approximately 20 hectares of land between Hanceville and Chilanko Forks, adjacent to Highway 20.

• Ignitions will only proceed if conditions are safe, with favorable weather and atmospheric venting allowing smoke to clear quickly.

What to expect

• Smoke and flames will be visible from Riske Creek, Tl'esqox, Tŝideldel, Yunesit’in, T’letinqox, Alexis Creek, Highway 20 and surrounding areas.

• Crews will ignite ground fuels to remove combustible materials and mimic a naturally occurring wildland fire.

• While burning is underway, traffic control will be on-site to ensure the safety of public and firefighters, short delays may occur.

• Firefighters will closely monitor the fire activity at all times during the burn.

• Personnel will remain on-site into the evening to ensure the burns are fully extinguished at the end of each day and will only leave once there is no risk of the fire spreading.

• Smoke from within the perimeter of the burn may be visible up to 72 hours after ignition.

Objectives of this prescribed burn

• Reduce wildfire risk along the Highway 20 corridor.

• Reduce fire damage to highway, utility and range infrastructure.

• Use fire to restore grassland and forest health to encourage a properly functioning ecosystem.

• Strengthen collaboration between BC Wildfire Service and local communities outside of emergency response situation.

 

Learn more

Fire is a natural process in many of B.C.’s ecosystems. The BC Wildfire Service works regularly with land managers to undertake fuel management activities, including the use of prescribed burns, to help reduce the severity of future wildfires and related threats to communities.

 

Learn more about prescribed burning online at prescribedfire.ca or find more resources here.

Cariboo RD Area "K" Evacuation ALERT -- Bull Canyon Park Area Alert

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District's Emergency Operations Centre:

An Evacuation Alert has been issued by Cariboo Regional District at the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) for 13 parcels in the Bull Canyon Park Area.  This area covers 4,262 hectares west of the community of Alexis Creek.

Because of the potential danger to life and health, the Cariboo Regional District has issued an Evacuation Alert for this area:

Bull Canyon Park Alert

Evacuation Alert and Map
Interactive Map

 An Evacuation Alert has been issued to prepare you to evacuate your premises or property should it be required.

Residents will be given as much advance notice as possible prior to evacuation; however you may receive limited notice due to changing conditions.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO WHEN AN ALERT IS IN EFFECT
Upon notification of an ALERT, you should be prepared for the evacuation order:

• Have a plan to transport all family members or co-workers outside of the area, should the area be brought under evacuation order.
• Keep essential items readily available for a quick departure; including medications, eyeglasses, valuable papers (i.e. insurance), immediate care needs for dependents and, if you choose, keepsakes (photographs, etc).
• Ensure that any dependents or pets are prepared for departure.
• Move pets and livestock to a safe area.
• Ensure that you have accommodation options for your family, if possible. A Reception Centre will be made available if required.
• In the event of an evacuation alert, do not turn off your natural gas. Visit FortisBC for information on being prepared in an emergency related to your natural gas connection.
• Monitor reliable news sources for information on evacuation orders and locations of Reception Centres, including CRD Facebook and website.
• If you are on an evacuation ALERT, or if you have been displaced from your home due to an emergency, please self-register for Emergency Support Services. Self-Registration will reduce wait times for evacuees and assist in the referral process. https://ess.gov.bc.ca

Further information will be issued as it becomes available. Please visit the CRD Emergency Operations Facebook as well as the CRD website at cariboord.ca/EOC. For more information contact the CRD's emergency information line at 1-866-759-4977 (open 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily).  

Residents are encourage to register for the Cariboo Chilcotin Emergency Notification System to receive a text, call or email regarding Evacuation Alerts and Orders.

Prescribed burn planned for Tŝideldel

Courtesy of the BC Wildfire Service:

The BC Wildfire Service in partnership with Tŝideldel First Nation will be conducting a series of prescribed burns 188 kilometres west of Williams Lake within the community of Tŝideldel. The total area to be burned is 119 hectares, divided into parcels located on the north and south side of Highway 20 - near Alexis Creek.

The goal of this prescribed burn is to reduce wildfire risk by eliminating fuels. This will create a fuel break between the community and the surrounding grasslands and promote the growth of native grasses.

Burning will take place between April 25, 2023 and May 5, 2023. Burning will be dependent on weather, site and venting conditions to allow for quick smoke dissipation. Smoke and flames will be visible in the area, with firefighters closely monitoring the fire activity at all times.

Prescribed fire is often used to help protect communities and infrastructure in the wildland-urban interface, where developed areas border on forests or grasslands. The removal of fine fuels helps slow the spread of wildfires and is an opportunity for BC Wildfire Service staff to work with the community of Tŝideldel.

Learn More

A factsheet about prescribed burns and ecosystem restoration burns is available online: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/vegetation-and-fuel-management/prescribed-burning

Prescribed Burn between Lee's Corner lookout and Chilanko Forks along Highway 20

Courtesy of the BC Wildfire Service:

The BC Wildfire Service in partnership with the Tsilhqot’in Nation communities, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, BC Parks - Cariboo Chilcotin Regional District and BC Hydro will be conducting a series of prescribed burns along Highway 20.

 

The goal of this prescribed burn is to reduce the fuel hazard to protect the infrastructure and prevent uncontrolled fires along the Highway 20 corridor for the Spring fire season without significantly impacting the occurrence of invasive species. Crews will be targeting high risk areas between Lee's Corner lookout and Chilanko Forks.

 

While burning is underway, traffic control will be on-site to ensure the safety of the public and firefighters.

 

Burning may begin as early as April 3, 2023, and will continue periodically until April 30, 2023.

The exact timing of the burn will be dependent on weather, site and venting conditions. Ignitions will proceed only if conditions are suitable and allow for quick smoke dissipation.

 

Smoke and flames from this prescribed burn may be visible from Tsi Del Del, Yunesit’in, T’letinqox, Alexis Creek, Highway 20, and surrounding areas. Firefighters will closely monitor this fire at all times.

 

Learn More

A factsheet about prescribed burns and ecosystem restoration burns is available online: https://news.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/prescribed-burns-reduce-wildfire-risks.

 

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.

 

You can follow the latest wildfire news:

 

• on the free BC Wildfire Service public mobile app, available for Apple (iOS) and Android devices
• on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo
• on Facebook at: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

 

Contact:

 

BC Wildfire Service

Fire Information Officer

Cariboo Fire Centre

778 799-2100

Betty Anderson vs Chad Mernett for Cariboo RD Area "K" Directorship (Round 2)

In a battle for the Cariboo Regional District's Area "K" (East Chilcotin) Directorship that goes back to 2011 -- both Betty Anderson & Chad Mernett will do battle again for the right to become the Electoral Area "K" Director of the Cariboo Regional District in the October 15th, 2022 local government election

In November 2011 -- Chad Mernett was elected as the Electoral Area "K" Director of the Cariboo Regional District for a 3 year term however in the 2014 local government election - chose not to seek re-election.  

In the 2014 local government election - after an extended call for candidates in Electoral Area "K" for election -- Betty Anderson won the right to become the Electoral Area "K" Director of the Cariboo Regional District in that election, winning in a 3 way race -- 38 (Anderson) to 11 to 5 respectively - for a 4 year term

In 2018, Ms. Anderson sought re-election but was defeated in favour of current Cariboo Regional District Area "K" Director Chad Mernett by a vote count of 43-33 (Mernett - Anderson) respectively

Neither Director Mernett nor Ms. Anderson have indicated why they are seeking the Area "K" Directorship of the Cariboo Regional District, as of this writing, but should become known soon enough as they discuss their vision of Area "K" of the Regional District with local media and by extension, voters of Area "K" of the Cariboo Regional District

The 2022 Nomination Period for the Cariboo Regional District's 12 Electoral Area Directorships terminates at 4pm sharp! on Friday, September 9th, 2022

~SF

Ecosystem restoration burn near Riske Creek and Tl’esqox First Nation

Courtesy of the BC Wildfire Service:

The BC Wildfire Service and the Ecosystem Restoration branch plans to conduct an ecosystem restoration burn near Riske Creek and Tl’esqox First Nation. 

This burn will cover approximately 33 hectares south of Highway 20 near Cotton Road, approximately 30 kilometres southwest of Williams Lake.  Burning may begin as early as April 19, 2022 and will continue periodically until May 1, 2022.  The exact timing of the burn will be dependent on weather, site and venting conditions. Ignitions will proceed only if conditions are suitable and allow for quick smoke dissipation. 

BC Wildfire Service staff will carefully prepare, control, and monitor the fires at all times. Smoke and flames from this prescribed burn will be highly visible from Highway 20, and surrounding areas.  

Purpose of this prescribed burn: 

*Restore open grasslands by reducing encroachment from juniper and conifer trees. 

*Improve the grassland forage for future wildlife and cattle grazing. 

*Reduce the wildfire hazard within the area. 

*Promote the growth of local plant species while reducing the spread of invasive plant species. 

Historically, grasslands in the Cariboo-Chilcotin were renewed through frequent, low-intensity ground fires. Such fires prevented tree encroachment, rejuvenated understory plants and helped maintained more open grasslands and forests with large trees.  

The reintroduction of managed, low-intensity ground fires to these grasslands is intended to restore and maintain the traditional grassland plant communities that are native to these areas. These managed fires also reduce fuel loads, leading to a decreased risk of catastrophic wildfires. 

This burn is part of an ongoing ecosystem restoration program administered by the provincial government through the Cariboo’s Ecosystem Restoration Steering Committee, in consultation with First Nations, local ranchers, local forest licensees, outdoor organizations, Fraser Basin Council, the B.C. Wildlife Federation and the Cariboo-Chilcotin Conservation Society. 

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.  

You can follow the latest wildfire news: 

*on the free BC Wildfire Service public mobile app, available for Apple (iOS) and Android devices  

*on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo  

*on Facebook at: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo 

EV Charging Station comes to Hanceville!

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

British Columbia’s provincewide electric vehicle (EV) charging network will get four new sites in the coming months.

The number of EV charging stations throughout the province is growing rapidly. B.C. now has over 2,000 public Level 2 charging stations and 200 public fast-charging sites, with over 480 fast-charging stations.

“Our growing EV charging network is making it easier and safer for people who own electric vehicles to travel around the province,” said the Hon. Rob Fleming, BC's Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “Now, British Columbians can choose greener transportation options, which is part of our commitment to a cleaner, stronger economy.”

This fall, the ministry is installing four new electric vehicle charging station sites. Each site will host two fast chargers and one Level 2 charger (total of 12 charging stations).

• Hanceville Lookout rest area: near Hanceville, about 85 kilometres west of Williams Lake on Highway 20

“People in B.C. continue to lead when it comes to making the right transportation choices, and we continue to support that positive change,” said the Hon. George Heyman, BC's Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “These stations are part of the next stage in an expanded network to accelerate action on climate change and reduce air pollution while increasing economic opportunities.”

Westcana Electric Inc. will build the new EV charging stations. The project is expected to be completed by late December 2021. All four charging sites are expected to be open to the public beginning in 2022.

Since 2018, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has installed EV charging stations at 22 locations along B.C. highways. These four new projects will bring that total to 26.

Six of the existing charging stations serve residents and businesses in B.C.’s northern region. The addition of the Motz Road and Mount Terry Fox rest area stations bring this total to eight. The ministry is also exploring charging options along Highways 20 and 97 to further support electric vehicle owners in rural and northern B.C.

Making electric vehicles more affordable, investing in charging stations, and ensuring a greater availability of zero-emission vehicles in B.C. are all part of the Province’s CleanBC Plan.

CleanBC is a pathway to a more prosperous, balanced and sustainable future. It supports government’s commitment to climate action to meet B.C.’s emission targets and build a cleaner, stronger economy for everyone.

Learn More:

To learn more about CleanBC, visit: https://cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/

For more information about the Go Electric program, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/zeroemissionvehicles

On the CleanBC Go Electric page, see the link to PlugShare’s map: https://www.plugshare.com/