Photo courtesy Peter Luggi

By Greg Fry

Lejac wildfire update

Crews making ‘good progress’ on Lejac wildfire

May 12, 2019 | 10:33 AM

FRASER LAKE — Update: (8:00 p.m.): The Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako has downgraded the evacuation order and lifted the evacuation alert that were both prompted by the Lejac wildfire.

The evacuation order was downgraded to an alert. RDBN Chair Gerry Thiessen made the announcement tonight on advice from the BC Wildfire Service.

The decision was made in light of the “great progress” made by the BC Wildfire Service today.

Molly Blower says the fire was remapped at 236 hectares today and said it’s now 50 per cent contained and 70 per cent fire guarded.

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“There will be five BC Wildfire Service firefighters patrolling the fire overnight,” she told CKPG Today. “All personnel on the fire will return tomorrow (40 firefighters in total) along with one helicopter.”

Thiessen complimented firefighting efforts noting the “incredible job they’ve been doing.”

He added it’s still not time to let your guard down though when out in the backcountry.

“It’s incredibly dry so we need to be cautious. Be careful out there.”

Update (12:50 p.m.): Crews are continuing to fight the 260 hectare Lejac wildfire near Fraser Lake.

CKPG Today was in Fraser Lake today and learned the north line of the fire is just 600-800 metres shy of Highway 16 and that helicopters are actively working hot spots.

Photo courtesy Craig Casimel

One member of the Stellat’en First Nation told CKPG Today that people are on edge after last year’s Shovel Lake fire which was located just 10 kilometres away.

Despite the fire’s close proximity to the highway, the BC Wildfire Service says crews are making good progress on the blaze and nearby residents say it has dissipated since last night.

Earlier (10:30 a.m.): The BC Wildfire Service says firefighters are making “good progress” on the Lejac wildfire near Fraser Lake.

The human-caused fire broke out yesterday five kilometres from town (May 11), forcing an evacuation order and alert by the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako (see previous story here).

“The fire is still mapped at approximately 260 hectares,” says Molly Blower, fire information officer with the Prince George Fire Centre. “The crews made good progress throughout the night and it is now 70 per cent machine guarded at this time.”

Today, she says there are 30 firefighters on site as well as two medium-sized helicopters. In addition to that, Blower says 10 more firefighters are on their way.

“Just a note, smoke will be highly visible in the town of Fraser Lake this evening due to a shift in wind direction.”

She says there are no reports of structures lost.

And according to the RDBN, there is no change to last night’s evacuation order and alert.

No word yet either on the official cause of the blaze.