Fire size estimates have remained steady for all four fires in the Baezaeko Complex according to the latest update (Aug. 29).
Narcosli Creek remains at 4,517 hectares, Blackwater River at 8,365 hectares and Shag Creek at 12,322 hectares, with the North Baezaeko Fire increasing only marginally, from 11,500 hectares to 11,508.7 hectares.
The Narcosli Creek Fire has been considering Being Held since yesterday, Aug. 28.
“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 forecasted conditions,” says the BC Wildfire Service website.
The crews have the Narcosli Creek wildfire 100 per cent guarded and 75 per cent contained.
Monitoring and patrolling of the fire will continue. Danger tree assessing and danger tree felling will be carried out to allow for mop-up operations. Mop-up is to be completed 50 feet off the fire edge of a spruce band in the northeast corner. Further work on mop-up will be conducted from the 10F road to the Deserters South road. Hot spots will be actioned as identified in aerial scanning of the east flank of the fire.
There are 51 firefighters (down from 73 yesterday) and three pieces of heavy equipment (down from 11) on this fire.
READ MORE: 2018 now B.C.’s worst wildfire season on record
The Blackwater River Fire remains 100 per cent guarded and 60 per cent contained.
A burn planned for yesterday, Aug. 28, was not carried out, says BCWS, due to “further drying of fuels [being] required to support this operation.”
Variable precipitation amounts were received overnight up to 10 mm and will further delay potential planned burning.
Crews will secure the fire on 51A road on the southeast flank where possible. Mop-up will be conducted northward from 51A road. Structure Protection units will be maintained along the Nazko River. Patrol and mop-up operations will be conducted on the fires northeast flank moving south. Crews will continue mopping up in the northwest.
There are 44 firefighters and 14 pieces of heavy equipment on site, roughly the same as yesterdays 45 firefighters and 15 pieces of equipment.
READ MORE: Update on wildfires in the Cariboo, Aug. 29
The North Baezaeko Fire remains 40 per cent guarded and 15 per cent contained.
“Where possible, direct attack will continue around identified structures,” says BCWS.
Widening of the 6700 Road south of the wildfire will continue to the Blackwater River. Guard construction on 6608 Road north will continue. The Plateau guard Baezaeko 66A road will be completed.
There are 54 firefighters and 22 pieces of equipment (up from 16 yesterday) on site.
The Shag Creek Fire in the northwest of the Cariboo Fire Centre is still zero per cent contained with no resources on the ground. The fire is being monitored by air when possible, says BCWS.
All four fires in the Baezaeko Complex share 10 helicopters.
Some evacuation orders and alerts were downgraded in the northwest Cariboo this afternoon.
READ MORE: Some evacuation orders, alerts lifted in northwest Cariboo
The Chutanli Lake Fire, located 11 kilometres northeast of Tatelkuz Lake, is now estimated at 20,343 hectares, up from 19,857 hectares yesterday.
The fire started in the Prince George Fire Centre but has crossed the border into the Cariboo. BCWS has offered no additional updates on this fire today.
There are 64 firefighters (up from 48 yesterday) and 25 pieces of heavy equipment on site.
In total there are nine active wildfires burning in the Quesnel Fire Zone. Three are Being Held, one is Under Control and five fires are in Out of Control status.
The largest fire aside from the Fires of Note is the Yuzkli Lake fire, south of Big Valley Creek. It remains estimated at 100 hectares. This fire is being closely monitored by BCWS, says the latest update.
editor@quesnelobserver.com
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