No Sign Of Rain As Wildfires Continue

Aug 20, 2018 | 5:09 AM

PRINCE GEORGE – There is some good news on the wildfire front to start the week but there is still no end in sight to a series of major forest fires ravaging northwestern BC. 

Following a weekend of work, BC wildfire crews have managed to prevent the gigantic Shovel Lake wildfire from heading south into properties along the north shore of Fraser Lake.  While the forest fire has grown to nearly 850 square kilometres, most of the growth has been on the eastern edge, in uninhabited areas.  

However, the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako issued three new evacuation orders, including one near the small community of Germansen Landing, about 200 kilometres north of Fort St James.  The Gromet Hill fire was sparked Wednesday and is about 15 kilometres east of the community.  Cheslatta and areas around the Tweedsmuir fire were also given evacuation orders Sunday.  

The forecast across the region continues to be favourable for forest fire conditions.  Warm and gusty conditions are expected through much of the week.

A public meeting co-hosted by the BC Wildfire Service and the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako will be held at Grassy Plains School tonight at 6 pm. The meeting is for those staying in the evacuation order area for the south side of Francois Lake where they will find out about the safety risks over the next 72 hours regarding expected fire growth and extreme fire behaviour. A live stream will also be available on the Regional District’s website and Facebook page.

The Cariboo Regional District has issued an evacuation order for 14 properties in the Klinaklini Lake area. Due to immediate danger, the evacuation route is by helicopter. You can register at the ESS Reception Centre at Lake City Secondary Campus at 640 Carson Drive in Williams Lake. If you have a primary home outside the evacuation order, you will not qualify for Emergency Support Services. A map of the affected areas can be found online

As of Monday, there are 61 active wildfires in the CRD. There are five evacuation orders in place in the CRD, impacting 118 residents. There are five evacuation alerts in place as well, impacting 1,149 residents. An improvement in air quality has been seen over the last 24 hours, but there is a chance for poor conditions later in the week. 

 

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