The Bouchie Lake Volunteer Fire Department’s (BLVFD) Chief is thankful members were able to get to a wildfire before it could become dangerous.
Jeff Lefebvre said the department was called to reports of smoke near Hangman Springs during the afternoon of Aug. 3. Members arrived at the scene around the same time as a firefighting helicopter, and the two entities immediately began working to contain the blaze.
“It’s no different than any of these other communities that burned down,” Lefebvre said. “(A fire like this) is where it all started. This was in a thick, forested, dense area, with lots of flammable underbrush. I’m shocked it wasn’t worse than it was.”
READ MORE: Wildfire near Bouchie Lake being held: Cariboo Fire Centre
Lefebvre is thankful for the quick response from everyone involved in fighting the fire, including mutual aid from the Barlow Creek Fire Department.
“There was a lake right beside the property,” Lefebvre said. “He was able to dip from the lake, with short turnaround times, and were able to drop. One of our officers, Doug Paley, was able to direct him on where to drop it. They worked as a team really well.”
Provincial Wildfire Service firefighters arrived later that night to contain and make sure the fire couldn’t re-ignite on the ground.
Lefebvre said just getting to the fire proved to be a challenge, as BLVFD members had to use chainsaws to cut a path through the brush. The fire was 600 yards from the closest truck access.
“It was a good save for sure,” he said.
The department also used the structural prevention unit, which is filled with sprinklers and hoses to stop the fire from moving by soaking an area. The department shares a trailer with neighbouring departments but is hoping to get one of their own.
“If you can cool the ground, that does a lot, more than just the water,” Lefebvre said. “You need to cool everything down, dampen everything down. It slows the fire enough maybe you can get on it.”
READ MORE: Quesnel Fire Centre’s only wildfire of note downgraded by BCWS
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