Update (3:15 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13)
BC Wildfire Service said an evacuation order for the Moose Valley area was recommended due to an “anticipated wind shift” to the southeast.
“We recommended it because of the potential of the fire to challenge the containment lines to the southeast,” information officer Jessica Mack said.
She noted the order was not in connection with a planned ignition of the Flat Lake fire Thursday, which “did well.” However, she added there has been increased fire activity in the area, particularly on the west side.
More to come.
Original story:
The Cariboo Regional District has issued an evacuation order for 13 parcels in Moose Valley area due to the Flat Lake wildfire.
The order, issued on Friday, Aug. 13, covers 10,659 hectares and replaces a portion of the Flat Lake North Area alert issued on July 16 and a portion of the Flat Lake-Green Lake Area alert issued on Aug. 7.
Residents are asked to evacuate via the Gustafson Lake FSR to 100 Mile House.
“Due to immediate danger to life safety due to fire, members of the RCMP or other groups will be expediting this action,” the CRD said in a statement.
An Emergency Service Centre (ESS) has been set up at the 100 Mile House Community Hall, 265 Birch Ave.
BC Wildfire said it conducted planned aerial and hand ignition on the north edge of the fire perimeter in the area south of Moose Valley Park, between Gustafsen and Holden Lake, Thursday that “went very successfully in removing unburnt fuels between the fire perimeter and pre-determined control lines (roads and machine guards).
“This brought the fire perimeter to more easily accessible locations where ground crews can safely work and deliver water directly to the fire’s edge,” a BCWS update said. “Firefighters worked into the evening to patrol and conduct mop up operations along the new fire perimeter.”
Heavy equipment was expected to continue today, Friday, to build the line tighter to the fire perimeter while it remains safe to do so on the northwestern and northern flank of the fire. Firefighters will also continue implementing direct attack methods on the west flank with the use of small-scaled hand ignitions to remove unburnt fuels along newly constructed control lines, according to the update.
The Flat Lake fire was most recently estimated at 62,895 hectares.
More to come.
kelly.sinoski@100milefreepress.netLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
