Update: Wildfire crews have still not been able to carry out aerial ignitions on the Young Lake fire due to erratic winds over the weekend, according to an update late Sunday evening.
However, hand ignitions were carried out on Sunday to remove unburned fuels along the northeastern flank and all fire activity was within the containment lines.
Ground personnel completed assessments and sprinkler deployment on Sharpe lake and began aerial assessments on Eagan Lake, with heavy machinery working on reinforcing the containment line on the northeastern flank.
Update: Aerial ignitions were not carried out on the Young Lake fire Saturday due to conditions not being ideal.
The wildfire, which started 35 kilometres southeast of 70 Mile House and has prompted evacuation alerts and orders in the area south of Highway 24, is now listed at 4,000 hectares.
A brief BC Wildfire Service update posted late Saturday evening stated that the planned ignitions were called off due to bad conditions.
Original: Firefighters are planning an aerial ignition Saturday, July 24, on the northeast flank of the Young Lake fire, if conditions allow, according to BC Wildfire Service.
In its latest bulletin, BCWS said firefighters did not conduct aerial ignitions Friday because fire activity had increased slightly. Instead, they used hand ignitions to remove all unburned fuels within pre-determined containment lines.
“The goal of the ignitions today is to build off the hand ignitions and help to secure the containment line by removing unburned fuels along this flank,” the update said. “This strategy will provide a fuel-free area and increases the overall effectiveness of suppression operations by preventing any further spread.”
In preparation for this proposed burn, a water truck will spray water along the containment line to cool down the edge. Additional firefighters and helicopters will be on site. “The conditions will be monitored closely and plans may change as conditions change,” BCWS said.
On Friday, ground personnel and structure protection specialists began assessments on Eagan Lake.
Heavy equipment will continue to re-enforce the containment lines of the fire, which is still estimated at 2,631 hectares.
More to come.
