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The 2018 wildfire season has begun, and crews are busy dealing with multiple fires throughout the Province.
In total, the BC Wildfire Service is responding to 123 wildfires. The Provincial Wildfire Centre says it is hard to say how many of those fires are human caused or naturally caused, but the majority were a result of the significant lightning system the moved through the province. The system generated about 6,000 lightning strikes within 48 hours.
BC Wildfire Service says they do have "sufficient personnel" at each location, but crews that were sent out to Ontario and Quebec to help with the wildfire situation there are being brought back next week. A total of 204 BC Wildfire Service personnel were deployed to Ontario and Quebec by Friday, July 13.
As for the long term weather forecast, they are expecting more fire activity. Most of the Province is in a high fire danger rating right now, with more hot and dry conditions on the way.
There are 10 wildfires of note burning in the province, seven of which are burning in the Kamloops Fire Centre. All of those fires are lightning caused, with the exception of the Placer Mountain fire and the Upper Brookside Creek fire, which are still under investigation.
Many of the noteworthy fires are in the Okanagan Valley. Central Okanagan Emergency Operations said this morning that BC Wildfire Service is devoting numerous personnel to fight the fires and all available resources are being applied to the fires in the area on a priority basis.
Kamloops Fire Centre
There is a cluster of four fires west of West Kelowna, now called the Carrot Mountain wildfire. One of the fires is completely out and the other three are under control. The cluster is under one hectare in size.
The Law Creek wildfire, located 6 km southwest of West Kelowna, is eight hectares in size. It is considered an interface fire at this time. The Good Creek fire is about 400 hectares as of this morning. Winds are expected to be a challenge for crew fighting the fire today.
The Mount Eneas fire is located 4 km south of Peachland. Estimated at 1,000 hectares in size, there are evacuation alerts and orders in place in the area. The Mount Conkle fire, 8 km southwest of Summerland, is seeing some success in regards to fire suppression due to good access and water supply. It is still around 90 hectares, but is still actively burning.
According to the BC Wildfire Service, there is a chance of lightning in the northeastern part of the fire zone, in the Vernon, Salmon Arm, and Kamloops area. Any percipitation we may see is also expected to be in the northwest, not in the Okanagan Valley.
Cooler temperatures are expected today and tomorrow, with a high of 26C, but officials are expecting things to warm up again on Sunday.
For more on these fires, please see our full coverage on the Wildfire Dashboard.
Two wildfires under investigation
There are two wildfires under investigation in the Kamloops Fire Centre, including the Placer Mountain wildfire, 37 km southwest of Princeton, and the Upper Brookside Creek wildfire 6 km east of Swan Lake, near Vernon.
The Placer Mountain wildfire is estimated at 255 hectares as of this morning. The BC Wildfire Service is responding with 16 personnel and five pieces of heavy equipment. The Upper Brookside Creek fire was estimated at 1 hectare in size and is not threatening any homes or structures. There are 11 firefighters at the scene.
UPDATE: The BC Wildfire Service is continuing to respond to several #BCwildfire outside of the Okanagan corridor. pic.twitter.com/9IsVrepohb
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) July 20, 2018
Prince George Fire Centre
Farther up north, there are two fires burning near Vanderhoof and Valemount.
The Dog Creek Trail wildfire is the larger fire burning in the area. It is estimated at 314 hectares and has prompted an evacuation alert.
The West Cranberry Creek wildfire, 5 km west of Valemount, is 45 hectares in size as of yesterday. It is lightning caused.
#BCWildfire Service crews and aviation resources are responding to a wildfire by Gordon Lake, 30 km NE of #Vanderhoof in the Prince George Fire Centre. Fire size estimated at 70 hectares, and smoke may be visible from surrounding areas. pic.twitter.com/fMWTKyM8fQ
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) July 17, 2018
Southeast Fire Centre
A wildfire in the Southeast Fire Centre was discovered yesterday. The cause is under investigation, and the fire is estimated at 6.7 hectares in size. It is being held, meaning that further growth of the fire is not anticipated based on current conditions and suppression tactics.
An evacuation order was put in place for three nearby homes, but was rescinded today. One home was destroyed in the fire along with a few outbuildings; however, no one was injured in the blaze, which broke out yesterday afternoon. The homeowner is being supported by Emergency Social Services volunteers.
Cariboo Fire Centre
Although they're not under wildfires of note, there are five wildfires considered to be out of control in the Cariboo Fire Centre. In total, BC Wildfire is responding to 12 wildfires in the zone. The largest fire is the Nazko Lake fire at 46 hectares. There are 51 firefighters on site. Yesterday crews were able to successfully complete burn operations of unburnt fuel within the fire's perimeter.
There are two fires in the Canim Lake area, one of which is under control, and two fires 20 km south of Williams Lake. The Williams Lake fires were discovered yesterday.
Crews continue to respond to 12 fires in the #Cariboo Fire Centre:
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) July 20, 2018
• 5 are still considered Out of Control
• 2 are Being Held
• 5 are Under Control
Largest #BCwildfire continues to be Nazko Lake fire, at ~46 ha. 51 firefighters are on site. More details in screenshot below. pic.twitter.com/QLAvuRE47N
