Due to smoky conditions, updates to Fires of Note in the North Cariboo have changed little since yesterday, says Cariboo Fire Centre fire information assistant Shannon Street.
The Baezaeko Complex, which now includes the Blackwater River, Narcosli Creek, North Baezaeko and Shag Creek fires, saw smoky conditions and helicopters were unable to fly due to visibility.
“Crews and equipment worked within short visibility windows,” says Street.
She says the size of each fire will be updated as soon as possible.
A dedicated incident management team (IMT) has now taken over the management of these four Fires of Note, as of Friday Aug. 17.
According to Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes, structural protection units have now been brought in to defend properties in the region from fire, and fire crews from Saskatchewan and Mexico are now set up at a camp at Sylvia’s Cafe on Nazko Road. These crews are dedicated solely to the four fires in the Quesnel Fire Zone.
READ MORE: Local fire management team will bring structural protection units, focused resources: MLA
The North Baezaeko Fire remains 10 per cent contained, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
The Wildfire of Note, which is approximately 85 kilometres west of Quesnel, remains at an estimated 4,000 hectares. Heavy equipment continues establishing containment with focus on securing the east and southeastern flank.
“Planned ignitions on the south and southeastern flank will occur, when conditions improve, to reinforce the guard. A contingency guard is being established on the southwestern flank,” says the FIO’s latest update.
North Baezaeko still has 45 firefighters, two helicopters, eight pieces of heavy equipment and a water tender on site.
Evacuation alerts and orders are still in effect in the North Baezaeko area.
The Blackwater River Fire, located 72 kilometres west of Quesnel, is still listed at 4,519 hectares at 75 per cent guarded, although zero per cent contained. There are now 36 personnel on this fire, up from 23 yesterday. Four helicopters and seven pieces of heavy equipment remain on site for this fire. Planned ignitions will occur on the west flank of the fire when weather permits.
The Narcosli Creek Fire remains estimated at 3,400 hectares, with 70 per cent containment and 90 per cent guarded. Reduced alerts and evacuation orders are still in effect for this fire.
There remain 99 firefighters, five helicopters and three water tenders on site, with the number of pieces of heavy equipment increasing from 13 to 16.
“Heavy equipment will continue to establish control lines, ground crews will focus on mopping up to 50 feet, and burn unburned fuel where possible,” says Street.
And the Shag Creek Fire, located in the northwestern corner of the Cariboo Regional District, is still estimated at 9,300 hectares with zero per cent containment and no personnel currently on site.
The Chutanli Lake Fire, located in the Prince George Fire Zone just north of the boundary of the CRD, is estimated at 12,250 hectares and out of control.
The fire is 23 kilometres west of Titetown and two to three kilometres west of Batnuni.
The BC Wildfire Service says firefighters are keeping residents informed as the fire progresses eastward.
“Structural protection has been set up; however, no activation triggers have been reach at this point in time,” says the Saturday morning’s update. Evacuation alerts and orders are in effect for this fire.
There are currently 82 firefighters and 20 pieces of heavy equipment on the fire, and crews continue to work on containment on the west end of the fire.
“Guard construction continues around the Brewster lakes area to 94 kilometres.”
Up-to-date evacuation alerts and orders can be seen on the Cariboo Regional District’s interactive map.
Overall there are 11 active wildfires burning in the Quesnel Fire Zone. There is one fire Being Held, two fires Under Control and eight fires in Out of Control status.
There are two fires in the area of North Baezaeko, south of Kluskoil Lake Park. The fire west of the Wildfire of Note remains estimated at 370 hectares.
The Yuzkli Lake fire is south of Big Valley Creek and northwest of Wells. It is now estimated at 32.5 hectares, a more accurate mapping from the previously estimated 40 hectares. There are no communities or structures threatened at this time.
The fire west of Mustang Lakes is estimated at 123.5 hectares. This fire is in steep terrain that is inaccessible to ground crews, says the BC Wildfire Service.
Air quality
Air quality has improved slightly from yesterday, Aug, 17, when smoke was thick and dark in the Quesnel and Prince George regions.
PHOTOS: B.C. city wakes up to darkness under wildfire smoke
Widespread smoke is set to continue in Quesnel today and Sunday according to Environment Canada, with the special air quality statement still in effect for Quesnel and Williams Lake.
The Air Quality Index remains at 10+, very high risk, for the weekend.
Quesnel Mayor Bob Simpson said in a Facebook post yesterday, Aug. 17, that the smoke conditions are a result of the cumulative impact of the fires occurring throughout the province, not just our local fires.
He urged locals to limit time outdoors, noting the West Fraser Centre’s walking track is open for those wishing to get some exercise out of the smoke.
“And the Rec Centre is a great place for kids to blow off some steam,” he noted.
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