The BC Wildfire Service is reporting fires in the Baezaeko Complex remain estimated at the same size, with Narcosli at 3,400 hectares, Blackwater River at 4,519 hectares, North Baezaeko at 4,000 hectares and Shag Creek at 9,300 hectares.
There are now just four Wildfires of Note in the Cariboo region, after Horsefly Lake was downgraded. In addition to the four Fires of Note in the Baezaeko Complex, Mayfield Lake near Williams Lake and Wild Goose Lake near 100 Mile House remain Wildfires of Note.
Narcosli Creek, 31 kilometres southwest of Quesnel, remains 50 per cent contained and 90 per cent guarded.
Heavy equipment will continue building a machine guard on the perimeter of this fire today, says BC Wildfire Service. These machine guards will be built tight to the perimeter of this fire. Crews will be establishing hose lay around the southwest corner in preparation of planned ignitions when conditions allow. Crews will also patrol and mop up to 50 feet of perimeter line on the north and west flanks.
There are 49 firefighters (down from 99 yesterday) and 22 pieces of heavy equipment (up from 16 yesterday) on site, with 10 helicopters being shared between all four fires in the Baezaeko Complex.
The Blackwater River Fire, 72 kilometres west of Quesnel, remains 75 per cent guarded and zero per cent contained. With smoke lifting yesterday, BC Wildfire Service reports helicopter bucketing operations took place. Crews are working night shifts continuing guard construction on this fire.
There are 28 firefighters (down from 36 yesterday) and 11 pieces of heavy equipment on site.
The North Baezaeko Fire, 85 kilometres west of Quesnel, is still zero per cent contained. BC Wildfire Service says fire behaviour was more active yesterday, causing more fuel to be consumed within the fire.
The perimeter guard on the southwest corner was breached, so crews will reinforce it today. They will use pre-existing cutblock roads to enhance containment.
There are 50 firefighters (up from 45 yesterday) and 13 pieces of heavy equipment (up from eight yesterday) on site, along with the 10 helicopters shared between the Baezaeko Complex fires.
And the Shag Creek Fire, north of Itcha Ilgachuz Park and far west of Quesnel, remains active and zero per cent contained, with no personnel currently on site.
The Baezaeko Complex is now managed by a dedicated incident management team, which has set up a base at Sylvia’s Cafe.
READ MORE: Local fire management team will bring structural protection units, focused resources: MLA
There remain 11 active wildfires burning in the Quesnel Fire Zone, says the Cariboo Fire Centre. One is Being Held, two are Under Control and eight are Out of Control.
There is one other fires in the area of North Baezaeko, south of Kluskoil Lake Park. This fire has not merged with the other North Baezaeko Wildfire of Note; however, the area is being treated as one fire. The Incident Management Team is managing this fire. It remains estimated at 370 hectares.
The Yuzkli Lake Fire is south of Big Valley Creek and northwest of Wells, and still estimated at 32.5 hectares. There are no communities or structures threatened at this time.
The fire west of Mustang Lakes remains estimated at 123.5 hectares. Ground personnel attended this fire and have developed a plan of action for this fire, after previous reports stating the steep terrain is inaccessible to ground crews.
A special air quality statement is still in effect for Quesnel, although conditions have improved somewhat over the weekend. Winds beginning Monday are forecasted, which may shift some of the smoke.
The Air Quality Health Index remains at 10+, very high risk, for Aug. 19. It may reduce to moderate risk by Monday, reports Environment Canada.
READ MORE: Cariboo Fire Centre update Sunday, Aug. 19; no new fires discovered Saturday
editor@quesnelobserver.com
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