The North Baezaeko Fire has increased in size for the second day in a row, growing from 5,002.5 hectares yesterday to 6,663 hectares today, reports the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS).
The BCWS website notes that crews successfully caught the North Baezaeko Fire after it jumped the guard in the southeast, however.
The fire remains zero per cent contained, and crews will be continuing to build a guard on the east flank of the fire, in Kluskoil Lake Park.
They will also be building guard along the western flank tying into cut blocks in this area, says the BCWS website.
Crews will continue to mop-up the excursions. They will also conduct hand ignitions burning to the guard on the south flank. Air crews will assist ground crews on the west and east flanks located in the Kluskoil Lake Park when needed.
Yesterday, crews focused on small areas for all the wildfires within the Baezaeko Complex. This was to ensure their safety due to limited visibility resulting from heavy smoke. Aerial support was also grounded due to smoke Aug. 22.
The fire now has 53 firefighters, up from 50 yesterday, and 20 pieces of equipment, up from 13.
Fourteen helicopters remain available for all four fires in the Baezaeko Complex; however, crews will be working on the ground only, as helicopters have been grounded today due to heavy smoke, says the BCWS.
The size of the Narcosli Creek Fire has also increased as of an update this morning, growing from 3,415 hectares yesterday to 3,459 hectares today.
The fire is still 50 per cent contained and 90 per cent guarded. Yesterday, due to limited visibility, crews worked on mopping up the controlled burn that was successfully executed on Aug. 21.
Today, heavy equipment continues to work to build machine guard around the excursions that occurred on the west flank. Crews will mop up to 50 feet in the northwest, south, and southeast. They are also building a contingency guard from the southwest to the southeast.
If conditions permit, a major burn operation is planned for the south, says the latest BCWS update. This will be burning available fuels in two bays south of the southern perimeter. A guard is currently established around the planned burn area.
“This area has been an ongoing challenge in our fire suppression efforts,” explains the BCWS.
Smoke will be visible from surrounding communities if the planned burn is executed.
There are now 79 firefighters on Narcosli Creek, down from 91 yesterday, and 29 pieces of equipment, up from 22.
The estimated size of the Blackwater River Fire decreased as of this morning’s update. Yesterday the fire was reported at 6,620 hectares and today it is listed at 6,128 hectares. It remains zero per cent contained.
Yesterday’s efforts saw firefighters burning along the contingency line to reinforce it in anticipation of shifting winds from the forecasted cold front.
The winds were light overnight, says the BCWS update.
Construction of the contingency line (guard) east of the 51A road south of this wildfire will continue today. Crews will continue with hand ignitions along the 51A road.
They will also maintain the structure protection units along the Nazko River.
There are now 33 firefighters on site, up from 29 yesterday, and 13 pieces of heavy equipment, up from 11.
The Shag Creek Fire north of Itcha Ilgachuz Park remains estimated at 10,200 hectares. It is still zero per cent contained with no resources currently on site.
There are now a total of 10 active wildfires burning in the Quesnel Fire Zone, down from 11 yesterday. One is Being Held, two are Under Control and seven fires are in Out of Control status.
The Yuzkli Lake fire is south of Big Valley Creek and remains estimated at 100 hectares after it grew from 32.5 hectares yesterday. Ground personnel and heavy equipment will continue to build guard in areas that are accessible.
The fire west of Mustang Lakes is still estimated at 123.5 hectares. There are eight ground personnel on site. Ground crews will continue to patrol and mop-up where necessary.
Just north of the border of the Cariboo Regional District, the Chutanli Lake Fire is still listed at 14,696 hectares, up from 13,371 hectares two days ago. The fire is in the Prince George Fire Centre but has extended over the border into the Cariboo and evacuation alerts and orders are in effect throughout the area. The fire is 23 kilometres west of Titetown and 1-2 kilometres west of Batnuni.
The fire remains out of control. There are 86 firefighters and 25 pieces of equipment on site.
Crews are monitoring and mopping up, where safe to do so, says the latest BCWS update. Work to install guards around the head of the fire on the west side continues.
Evacuation alerts and orders are still in effect for all areas near the fires. Visit the Cariboo Regional District website for the most up to date maps.
READ MORE: Cariboo communities socked in by wildfire smoke
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