The Narcosli Creek Fire will no longer be considered a Fire of Note as of 8 a.m. tomorrow, Sept. 5, as the fires in the Baezaeko Complex continue to gain containment.
The Narcosli Creek Fire, which put the Narcosli Creek area and West Quesnel under a series of evacuation alerts and orders on Aug. 10 and 11, is considered under control. The 4,636 hectare fire is 100 per cent guarded and 90 per cent contained, meaning there are no fuels left to burn between the fire perimeter and the fire guard.
According to the BC Wildfire Service website, “excellent progress” has been made on the fire over the last week.
There are currently 34 firefighters (up from 31 on Friday, Aug. 30) and no heavy equipment on site. Crews are continuing to work on danger tree assessing and falling to allow for mop-up work.
READ MORE: More than 36,000 hectares burned by Baezaeko Complex fires
Firefighters are also continuing to gain containment on the North Baezaeko Fire. The fire has grown from 11,508.7 hectares on Friday to 13,433.2 hectares today, Sept. 4. But the fire is now considered 50 per cent contained, up from 15 per cent on Friday.
The fire is also now 70 per cent guarded.
Crews are continuing to secure the south side of the Blackwater River to the 6600 Road, as well as actioning a spot excursion of the fire into Klukoil Lake Park.
There are 92 firefighters (up from 69 on Friday) and 27 heavy equipment (down from 42 on Friday) on site. There are also 10 helicopters split between the four fires in the complex.
The Blackwater River Fire remains 60 per cent contained and 100 per cent guarded at 8,277.5 hectares. A unit crew will be addressing spots along the south west flank today while other crews continue to mop up within 100 feet of the fire perimeter along the same flank. Strike crews are also working to mop up hot spots along the southern flank.
There are 54 firefighters (up from 28 on Friday) and five heavy equipment (down from six on Friday) on site.
The Shag Creek Fire was last mapped at 12,322 hectares on Aug. 30 and remains zero per cent contained.
To the north of the Baezaeko Complex fires, the Chutanli Lake Fire has also crept into the Cariboo.
It is currently estimated at 20,813 hectares in size and is 60 per cent contained. The fire is also considered “being held” which means with the resources currently allocated to this fire it is unlikely to grow.
There are 104 firefighters and 18 heavy equipment on site.
In the Quesnel Fire Zone, the Yuzkli Lake Fire is also considered out of control. It is located south of Big Valley Creek and is estimated at 92 hectares. It is being monitored by the BC Wildfire Service.
heather.norman@quesnelobserver.com
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