August 12, 2018
Gilmore Lake Wildfire (R22298) Location: 2.5 kilometers south of Gilmore Lake and 8 kilometers southwest of Topley Status: 200 hectares estimated as of this morning. Cause: lightning Resources: 23 firefighters and 12 pieces of heavy equipment. Current Activity: This fire is 100% contained. Yesterday there was one spot outside the perimeter but crews were able to deal with it quickly. A heavy helicopter was used on this fire to help ground crews contain it. Crews will remain on this fire mopping up any spots along the south flank and SE corner. Evacuations: The Bulkley Nechako Regional District has implemented an Evacuation Order and Evacuation Alert for this fire. For more information visit: https://www.rdbn.bc.ca/
Verdun Wildfire (R11796) Location: 10 km southwest of Grassy Plains Status: 4,500 hectares estimated as of this morning. Cause: lightning Resources: 34 firefighters and 12 pieces of heavy equipment. Objectives: The Verdun Wildfire experienced significant growth on August 10, 2018, but saw no growth overnight. Crews will continue work to establish containment on this fire and to mop up on the SW edge. The Verdun Wildfire is now approximately 4,500 hectares in size. This fire moved south and jumped the Eakin Settlement Road late and is currently north of the Chesalta River. Power is out for residents south of Francois Lake, which may be attributed to the recent fire activity. BC Hydro crews are on the way to work on the issue. Officials are assessing the situation this morning. Evacuations: The Evacuation Alert and Order was expanded for this wildfire yesterday by the Bulkley Nechako Regional District. For more information visit: https://www.rdbn.bc.ca/
Nadina Lake Wildfire (R21721) Location: 60km south of Houston Status: 15000 hectares estimated Resources: 20 firefighters and 17 pieces of heavy equipment. In addition, 37 support personnel and 16 helicopters are shared amongst all fires comprising this complex and are utilized according to areas of highest risk — life and property being the number one priority. Objectives: The excursion that occurred across the Morice Owen Road was contained by crews with the support of heavy equipment and helicopters. The fire is now approximately 63 km southwest of Burns Lake and approximately 7 km southwest of Parrott Lakes. The fire has moved above the old burn (the old 2012 fire that occurred near the Jewell Lake Road near 56 km on the Owen Morice Road). Firefighters continue to work on the Maurice Owen Road in the north and the Shelford Road in the south. Smoke was heavy today in the area. If weather conditions allow, crews will conduct hand or aerial ignition burn-out operations, to help secure sections of guard and increase containment tomorrow. Evacuations: The Evacuation Order and the Evacuation Alert implemented by the Bulkley Nechako Regional District remains in effect. For more information visit: https://www.rdbn.bc.ca/
ADDITIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION: Marg Drysdale | 250-927-4637 or Brian Hearnden | 250-876-8557 www.bcwildfire.ca
BC Forest Fire Info
@ BCGovFireInfo
August 12, 2018
Shovel Lake Wildfire (R11498) Shovel Lake (R11498), part of the Babine Complex, Northwest Fire Centre Location: 6.7 km north of Endako Status: 30,000 hectares estimated Cause: under investigation Resources: 73 firefighters and 53 pieces of heavy equipment. Objectives: North Branch: Crews will complete a planned ignition and mop up 50’ along the Hannay 24 to Roof Creek FSR and prepare to burn east of a regen block on the north flank in order to reduce fuels. If weather conditions allow, burn-out operations will be conducted to remove pockets of heavy fuel and help secure contingency line. South Branch: Crews will mop up and create black lines off Tatin and Branch 4 corner. Crews are constructing 25 feet of machine guard near Owl Bridge. The Shovel Lake Wildfire experienced significant growth August 10, 2018. The fire is now approximately 30,000 hectares in size. The fire saw no growth overnight but did burn internally. BC Wildfire Service is recommending an expansion of the Evacuation Alert area to include the community of Fort St. James. Portions of the Cunningham FSR will be included in the updated Alert. The fire is estimated to be approximately 36km southwest of Fort St. James. Evacuations: An Evacuation Order and Alert remains in effect for this wildfire by the Bulkley Nechako Regional District. For more information visit: https://www.rdbn.bc.ca/ BC Wildfire Service continues to implement an Area Order Restriction to protect public safety due to the wildfire’s rate of spread 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/X8Mr30lbPR9
Island Lake Wildfire (R11921) Location: Adjacent to Island Lake Status: 11,300 hectares in size estimated Cause: Under investigation Resources: 10 firefighters and 15 pieces of heavy equipment. Objectives: This fire did not show any growth today. The fire is holding in the marsh area in the east, east of the Nithi Pit Road. The SW flank is burning into an old fire scar. Sprinklers continue to be mobilized on structures in the area. Crews are tying the east flank into the 200 Road with heavy equipment to install control line. Crews continue to work to establish contingency line and guard in the east and west. Today crews will be working to establish contingency guard and will continue with guard construction in the east and west. Evacuations: The Bulkley Nechako Regional District has implemented an Evacuation Order and Alert for this wildfire. For more information visit: https://www.rdbn.bc.ca/
Cheslaslie Arm (R12270) Cheslaslie Arm (R12270), part of the Babine Complex, Northwest Fire Centre Location: 18 km west of Jim Smith Point on the Oostsa Reservoir. Status: 1000 hectares estimated Cause: Under investigation Resources: 6 pieces of heavy equipment. This fire is being resourced by Industry. Objectives: August 10, 2018, the Cheslaslie fire saw aggressive fire behaviour. No report that industry has returned to this fire. A guide outfitters camp is in the area. Heavy equipment continues to build guard and establish contingency line. Evacuations: An Evacuation Order and Alert is implemented by the Bulkley Nechako Regional District webpage. For more information visit: https://www.rdbn.bc.ca/
August 12, 2018 HELPFUL RESOURCES: Wildfires of Note: http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=699 Drifting Smoke: www.bcairquality.ca/bluesky/west/index.html Smoke Health Concerns: HealthLink BC | dial 8-1-1| www.healthlinkbc.ca/kbaltindex.asp
For information about Evacuation Orders and Alerts: Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako: https://www.rdbn.bc.ca/ BC Parks: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/wildfire/ Sites and Trails: http://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/closures.aspx
BC Wildfire Reporting and Information: Report a wildfire: 1 800 663-5555 or *5555 on a cell Fire information line: 1 888 336-7378 Twitter: @BCGovFireInfo Facebook: BC Wildfire Service
Staying informed You can view fire weather updates on the BC Wildfire website: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfirestatus/wildfire-situation/fire-danger/fire-weather You can view information on other fires and BC Wildfire advisories at: http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/ WildfireNews/News.asp You can stay up to date with road closures at: https://www.tranbc.ca/current-travel-advisories/ Interactive Map with Evacuation Alerts and Orders: https://governmentofbc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/ index.html?appid=ef6f11c8c36b42c29e103f65dbcd7538 Information about Fire Rank: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/about-bcws/wildfireresponse/fire-characteristics/rank
August 12, 2018
Fire Weather: Sunday –Sunny, winds W 10 km/h in the morning become SW-W 10 to 15 km/h in the afternoon. High temperatures near 24°C and minimum RH 25%. Monday – Sunny skies to continue, winds will be SW 20km/h with gusts to 30 km/h. High temperatures near 27°C and minimum RH 20% Outlook – The dissipating front forecast to sag south of the area. Cloudy skies with no precipitation. High temperatures near 24°C and minimum RH 30%. Winds with be SW-W 20 km/h will gusts to 30km/h.