September 09, 2018
FRASER COMPLEX UPDATE This will be the final wildfire update for the Fraser Complex. Smoke will remain visible on the fires from remaining heat within the fire perimeter, but please be aware that resources will remain as long as needed. Area restrictions are in place over the fires in order to uphold public safety and to reduce interference with ongoing operations. Shovel Lake Wildfire (R11498) Location: approx. 6km north of the community of Fraser Lake Status: 92, 255 hectares (mapped—infrared scan) being held Cause: under investigation Resources: 84 firefighters and 6 water tenders, 4 helicopters shared in the complex. Resources will A firefighter from Quebec conducts mop-up to extinguish lingering heat begin to decrease over the next few weeks as on the Island Lake Wildfire. objectives are completed and flanks are secured, and may be shifted to support other fires in the area. Objectives: The IMT that has been in place since Aug. 15 is transitioning to a contingent of BCWS single resources in key positions to continue the mop-up, patrol, and demobilization. This will be the last update for the Shovel Lake Wildfire unless something significantly changes. Smoke will remain visible over the coming days from remaining internal heat. Excellent progress has been made on the Shovel Fire, and the status been changed to being held. Resources assigned will decrease and/or be mobilized to other fires in the complex as objectives are completed. Mop-up and patrol will occur on the west, north, south, and east flanks. Gear is being demobilized off areas where mop-up and patrol has been completed. Evacuations: all evacuation alerts and orders for the Shovel Lake Wildfire have been rescinded by First Nations governments, the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako: http://ow.ly/p7fD30lEI7m and the District of Fort St. James: http://fortstjames.ca/fort-stjames-fire-information/. Closures: The BC Wildfire Service continues to implement an Area Order Restriction for the Shovel Lake Fire. This restriction is in place to aid in the safety of the public and first responders, and to avoid interference with fire suppression efforts. The area restriction will remain in place until noon on Sept. 15, 2018, or until the order is rescinded. The area restriction order applies to all Crown land outlined on the map (including recreational campgrounds) that is available online at: http://ow.ly/EYaT30lyPvw
CONTACT INFORMATION: Claire Allen | Claire.Allen@gov.bc.ca | 250-319-2205
September 09, 2018
FRASER COMPLEX UPDATE Island Lake Wildfire (R11921) Location: Adjacent to Island Lake Status: 20,671 hectares - mapped Cause: Under investigation Resources: 47 firefighters,1 piece of heavy equipment, 4 helicopters (shared in the complex) Objectives: The IMT that has been in place since Aug. 15 is transitioning to a contingent of BCWS single resources in key positions to continue the mop-up, patrol, and demobilization. This will be the last update for the Island Lake Wildfire unless something significantly changes. Smoke will remain visible over the coming days from remaining internal heat. As objectives are completed, resources assigned to the Island Lake Fire will decrease and/or be mobilized to other fires in the complex or to support the Babine Complex on the Verdun Fire’s eastern flank. Crews continue focusing on mop-up in the Anzus Lake, Borel Lake, and Binta Lake areas and by Island Lake crews will follow along the recently constructed buncher line. Crews are following guard construction from Francois Lake working south and remove remaining fuel on the fire side by blacklining. A scan has been ordered to assess for remaining hot spots. Status: There is a public access area restriction in place over the fire as of Sept. 8, 2018. Please see the link for complete details: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2018FLNR0260-001736 Evacuations: An Evacuation Order and Alert remains in effect for this wildfire issued by the Bulkley-Nechako Regional District. A Partial Rescinded Evacuation Order and Revised Alert Area was issued on August 31, 2018— For more information click here. Cheslatta Wildfire (R11683) Location: North of Cheslatta Lake Status: 8,100 hectares Cause: under investigation Resources: 16 firefighters, 3 pieces of heavy equipment, 7 helicopters shared in the complex. 42 firefighters are assigned to Div F on the east side of Verdun Fire to support Babine Complex but are managed by the Fraser Complex. Objectives: The Cheslatta Fire is now designated as being held, meaning that with the resources currently committed to the fire, sufficient suppression action has been taken that the fire is not likely to spread beyond existing or predetermined boundaries under the prevailing and forecast conditions. The primary objective is to establish control lines to prevent fire spread to the east, and to keep egress routes open and crews safe on the western flank given the encroachment by the Verdun Fire (Babine Complex). Crews will continue to mop up around values by Cheslatta Lake will mop-up around Holy Cross Lake. On the west side, crews are working with heavy equipment to tie in containment lines along the Binta-Cheslatta FSR and around Binta Lake, as well as Wapoose Lake and south of Mooney Road, and will maintain open communications and provide support for the Babine Complex given the proximity of the Verdun Fire . Status: There is a public access area restriction in place over the fire as of Sept. 8, 2018. Please see the link for complete details: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2018FLNR0260-001736
CONTACT INFORMATION: Claire Allen | Claire.Allen@gov.bc.ca | 250-319-2205