September 07, 2018
FRASER COMPLEX UPDATE 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: 146 firefighters and 6 water tenders, 7 helicopters shared in the complex. Resources will begin to decrease over the next few weeks as objectives are completed and flanks are secured, and may be shifted to support other fires in the area. Objectives: The Shovel Lake Fire is now designated as being held, meaning that with the resources currently committed to the fire, sufficient suppression action has been taken Firefighters spot a feline friend (lynx) from the fireline on Shovel Lake— that the fire is not likely to spread beyond Sept. 06, 2018 existing or predetermined boundaries under the prevailing and forecast conditions. Crews are working to mop-up and patrol all active flanks, extinguishing hot spots along the fire's perimeter and working with danger tree specialists and fallers to manage trees that have been compromised by the wildfire and pose a safety risk. Gear is being demobilized off of secured areas throughout the fire. Bucketing helicopters will continue to assist crews in cooling down fire behaviour in active spots. Evacuations: all evacuation alerts and orders for the Shovel Lake Wildfire have been rescinded by First Nations governments, the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako: http://ow.ly/p7fD30lEI7m and the District of Fort St. James: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 The area restriction will remain in place until noon on Sept. 15, 2018, or until the order is rescinded.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 Island Lake Wildfire (R11921) Location: Adjacent to Island Lake Status: 20,671 hectares - mapped Cause: Under investigation Resources: 56 firefighters, 20 pieces of heavy equipment, 7 helicopters (shared in the complex) Objectives: The Island Lake 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
CONTACT INFORMATION: Claire Allen | Claire.Allen@gov.bc.ca | 250-319-2205
September 07, 2018
FRASER COMPLEX UPDATE boundaries under the prevailing and forecast conditions. 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 the Anzus Lake and Borel Lake areas, as well as securing guard on the west end and on Arrow Road. Crews will follow guard construction from Francois Lake working south and remove remaining fuel on the fire side by blacklining. Heavy equipment is helping to remove fuels from around Island Lake to allow safe access for crews. Status: Structural Protection crews continue to be active in the Binta Lake area protecting structures, with the concern coming from activity on the adjacent and advancing Verdun Fire. Gear is being demobilized off structures that are no longer at risk. 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: 17 firefighters, 3 pieces of heavy equipment, 7 helicopters shared in the complex. 43 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 Mooney Road, and will maintain open communications and provide support for the Babine Complex given the proximity of the Verdun Fire .
Fire Weather Summary Friday — a mix of sun and cloud with high temperatures in the mid to upper teens. Winds anticipated to be calmer, with S-SE 5-10 km/hr. The minimum relative humidity will be above 30%. Scattered showers are expected in the afternoon, with potentially heavy downpours associated with thunderstorm development. Outlook— Increasing cloudiness with temperatures in the mid teens and precipitation. Winds southwesterly 15-20 km/hr with gusts. More precipitation is in the forecast for the weekend with some significant amounts featured in the models.
CONTACT INFORMATION: Claire Allen | Claire.Allen@gov.bc.ca | 250-319-2205