The fire situation in B.C. is making for apocalyptic afternoon skies in Vancouver, Prince George, and even over the mountains in Alberta.
Let's see now, it is 5:30 pm and theoretically, it is a bright sunny day in Prince George…However, the numerous layers of forest fire particulates make it look apocalyptic instead…😒 pic.twitter.com/h3yx52HJKM
— Hugues B. Massicotte (@huguesmassicot1) August 15, 2018
Doesn’t get much creepier than this #yegwx @PrairieChasers #abstorm #smoke pic.twitter.com/PEhMTOY9NL
— Nevin deMilliano (@SwiftChaser) August 15, 2018
Here is the latest update on those closest to the Bulkley Valley and threatening communities in the Lakes District:
Nadina-Verdun Fire Update
The Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako has issued an Evacuation Order and Evacuation Alert on August 15, 2018 at 0930 hours for the Nadina-Verdun Fire.
The Evacuation Order is in effect for: West of Morice Own FSR (north Francois) to Henkel Creek FSR West of Tahtsa FSR (south Francois) to 400 metres east of Nithi Road, Nithi Pit Road and a portion of Holy Cross Binta FSR. Morice Owen FSR, south to Ootsa Lake and Cheslatta Lake
Tweedsmuir Complex Fires
The Evacuation Order is in effect for: South of Ootsa Lake to the Southern boundary of the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako. East of Whitesail Lake including the Nechako Reservoir, known as Jim Smith Point
Nadia Lake Fire: 25,000 hectares (estimated)
Crews were challenged on this fire with the head of the fire moving to the east between the lakes. The head of the fire was 25 km, Rank 5, burning to the northeast. Crews were building guards to Owen Lake and near Nadina Mountain. The fire did cross the Oosta-Nadina Road.
Evacuation Order is in effect.
Please Share: #BCWildfire is impacting many side roads in #northernBC and the southern interior. We've put together list of those roads impacted to help you know before you go: https://t.co/sdpeVX0cjV #BC @DriveBC
— BC Transportation (@TranBC) August 15, 2018
Gilmore Lake Wildfire: 200 hectares
The Gilmore Wildfire is currently 100 per cent contained. Crews were working on the Sunset FSR and putting in wetline 25 in. Crews built guard along the top of the north finger and its holding. Some clean up along the guard with contingency lines will be completed tomorrow and then then will likely be upgraded to being held.
Island Lake Wildfire: 13,000.0 hectares (estimated)
Fire activity picked up in the centre of the fire south of Francois Lake Resort. Crews were to build guard and felt confident that they had put in enough guard to hold for the night and they would be reassessing in the morning.
The management of this fire will be transferred to the Prince George Fire Centre and an additional Incident Management Team will be taking over the Shovel Lake fire on Wednesday, August 15th or Thursday, August 16th.
Evacuation Order is in effect.
Verdun Mountain: 5,375.0 hectares (estimated)
The Verdun Wildfire was holding on many of the guards. The north guard and Takysie Lake guard were holding but the fire has advanced towards Innis Lake as a long finger burned in continuous fuels, Rank 3 and Rank 4, just north of Cheslatta Road. The fire produced a column in the southeast area. Guard at Keefes Landing Road was holding. The ferry is running 24/7 in the event it is needed. Life and property is the priority for BC Wildfire Service.
Evacuation Order is in effect.
Shovel Lake: 50,831 hectares
The Shovel Lake wildfire did not experience the same activity and growth as yesterday, however, there was some fire activity again on the east side. The fire is split up into North and South divisions. The North division worked to secure the Hannay Road and the PNG pipeline on the west flank of the fire. They have a secured line at this point. Crews also worked to tie in Tatin Lake northwest to Owl Lake. There are unburned pockets of fuel on the fire side of this guard that will be hand ignited tomorrow if conditions allow. In the South Division the fire did get onto the south side of Stern Lake. Crews built guard on the south side of the fire activity and were successful in guarding this excursion. The big picture plan for the South division is to build a guard from Stern Lake east all the way across the north of Fraser Lake. Equipment will also build guard following a PNG pipeline that runs along the north shore of Fraser lake. This will act as a secondary guard for the properties on the north shore.
There is now a night shift of SPU specialists, and more trucks and trailers are set to arrive for tomorrow.
The management of this fire will be transferred to the Prince George Fire Centre and an additional Incident Management Team will be taking over the Shovel Lake fire on Wednesday, August 15th or Thursday, August 16th.
Evacuation Order is in effect.
Northern Public Road Closures
Road Name, Closure Area, and Reason from B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
Nithi Pit Road Entire Road Evacuation Order – Island Lake Fire
Nithi Road Entire Road Evacuation Order – Island Lake Fire
Dahlgren Road Entire Road Evacuation Order – Island Lake Fire
Stella Road Entire Road Evacuation Order – Shovel Lake Fire
Jeanine Drive Entire Road Evacuation Order – Shovel Lake Fire
Ridgeview Road Entire Road Evacuation Order – Shovel Lake Fire
Gala Bay Road Entire Road Evacuation Order – Shovel Lake Fire
Peterson Road Entire Road Evacuation Order – Shovel Lake Fire
Clearview Drive Entire Road Evacuation Order – Shovel Lake Fire
Pattern Road Entire Road Evacuation Order – Shovel Lake Fire
Parr Road Entire Road Evacuation Order – Shovel Lake Fire
Manca Road Entire Road Evacuation Order – Shovel Lake Fire
Oona Road Entire Road Evacuation Order – Shovel Lake Fire
Lena Road Entire Road Evacuation Order – Shovel Lake Fire
Bidwell Road Entire Road Evacuation Order – Shovel Lake Fire
Bennett Road Entire Road Evacuation Order – Shovel Lake Fire
McKenzie Road Entire Road Evacuation Order – Shovel Lake Fire
Ormond Creek Pit Road Entire Road Evacuation Order – Shovel Lake Fire
Colleymount Road Including Jenkins Rd west to Parrot Lake Trail and all side roads between. From Henkle Cr FSR (14km), west to the Morice Owen Forest Service Road Evacuation Order -Nadina-Verdun Lakes Fire
Ootsa Nadina Road (west end) Including Blackwell West Rd, Wistaria PO Rd and west to Ferguson Lake Rd and all side roads between From Carroll Road to Intersection with Colleymount Road (except those portions designated as evacuation route) Evacuation Order -Nadina-Verdun Lakes Fire
Ootsa Nadina Rd (east) Including Ootsa Lake Boat Landing Rd east to Marilla Rd and all side roads between From Keefe’s Landing Rd and Ootsa Lake East Rd to Marilla Rd Evacuation Order -Nadina-Verdun Lakes Fire
Eakin Settlement Rd Including Takysie Pit Rd south to Spud Lake Rd and all side roads between Entire Road Evacuation Order -Nadina-Verdun Lakes Fire
Cheslatta Rd Including Wall Rd east to Clark Rd, and all side roads between Entire Road Evacuation Order -Nadina-Verdun Lakes Fire
Tatalrose Rd Including Wilson Rd east to McDonald’s Landing Rd, and all side roads between Entire road except those portions designated as evacuation route Evacuation Order -Nadina-Verdun Lakes Fire
Sunset Lake Rd Including Rondeau Rd and Strimbold Rd From Strimbold Bridge to end Evacuation Order – Gilmore Lake Fire
