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UPDATE: Nadina Lake wildfire now listed as 40% contained

(UPDATE: Sept. 9 @ 1:35 p.m.) - The Nadina Lake wildfire is now considered to be 40% contained. According to BC Wildfire Service, parts of the fire received 0.4 mm of rain overnight.

Ground crews will continue to mop up any existing hot spots near structures and along Owen East FSR, Isaac Lake and Berradona Lake, while heavy equipment continues to work on creating machine guard along Nadina FSR.

Today there are 138 firefighters and 47 pieces of heavy equipment on scene.

(UPDATE: Sept. 5 @ 1:45 p.m.) - Growth of the Nadina Lake wildfire has slowed down significantly in recent days.

The fire has only grown around 300 hectares since the weekend and now is being estimated at 86,767 hectares.

More encouraging, however, is that the BC Wildfire Service now lists the blaze as 25% contained, but there's still lots of work to be done.

"Visibility was a challenge due to smoke and fog on Tuesday morning," reads the latest update from BC Wildfire. "There was spotting on the western flank of the fire, but crews were able to secure this excursion on Tuesday with the help of helibucketing."

The note adds that BC Wildfire is working to tighten existing guards around the fire's perimeter.

Thumbnail photo courtesy of CONAFOR.

(UPDATE: Sept. 2 @ 3:15 p.m.) - The Nadina Lake wildfire is being estimated at 86,430.0 hectares in size today.

Despite increased fire behaviour and growth on Friday, the BC Wildfire Service says the guards on the fire are holding. Smoke columns from increased activity are highly visible, however are not resulting from growth threatening life or structures.

"Ground crews are nearing completion of guards and will be monitoring for favorable conditions to complete burn-offs to reinforce containment lines," the BC Wildfire Service said in an update.

"Equipment is working to tighten existing guards. Despite Friday's significant wind event, the dedicated work of structural protection crews has prevented any loss of structures over the past 36 hours."

There are 106 firefighters and 48 pieces of heavy equipment assigned to fire today. In addition, there are 422 persons assigned to this fire complex, including: 20 helicopters, and 178 pieces of heavy equipment are shared amongst all fires that comprise the Bambine complex and will be utilized according to areas of highest risk.

(UPDATE: Aug. 31 @ 9:55 a.m.) - After quickly becoming one of the biggest fires in B.C., the Nadina Lake wildfire has seemingly stalled around 85,000 hectares.

After growing to 84,910 hectares on Aug. 24, the fire jumped to 85,428 on Aug. 25 and has been there ever since.

Despite the lack of growth, the BC Wildfire Service still says that the fire showed increase activity on Thursday as winds intensified throughout the late morning and afternoon.

Helicopter bucketing continues to take place throughout the fire area, focusing mainly on the northeastern and southeastern flanks of the fire.

"Crews are nearing completion of guards and will be monitoring for favourable conditions to complete burn offs to reinforce containment lines," says the latest update from BC Wildfire.

There are 97 firefighters, 75 pieces of heavy equipment and 20 helicopters assigned to this fire.

(UPDATE: Aug. 29 @ 3:45 p.m.) - The Nadina fire experienced very little growth Tuesday with pockets of moderate fire behavior within the fire's perimeter. Heavy helicopter bucketing took place on Tuesday supporting crews throughout the Nadina fire.

A mass water delivery system is expected to arrive in the complex and be set up on the Owen East guard at the western end of Francois Lake.

The fire is estimated at 85,428 hectares. There are 88 firefighters and 76 pieces of heavy equipment at the fire today. In addition, there are 408 personnel assigned to this fire complex, including: 18 helicopters, and 178 pieces of heavy equipment are shared amongst all fires that comprise the Babine complex and will be utilized according to areas of highest risk

Crews are nearing completion of guards and will be monitoring for favorable conditions to complete burn-offs. Guard on the southern flank of the fire, running between Tahtsa FSR and Huckleberry FSR expected to be completed Tuesday evening.

Structural protection crews continue to monitor and work areas around the fire on rotating shifts, 24 hours a day.

(UPDATE: Aug. 28 @ 11:25 a.m.) - The Nadina Lake wildfire remains at 85,428 hectares after a positive Monday, says the BC Wildfire Service.

"The Nadina fire experienced very little growth on Monday with no spot fires escaping the perimeter," reads BC Wildfire's latest update. "Helicopter bucketing took place on northeastern flank of the fire on Monday which continues to be an area of heightened activity."

There are 61 firefighters, 81 pieces of heavy equipment and 18 helicopters on the blaze.

(UPDATE: Aug. 27 @ 10:10 a.m.) - It was another positive day for the Nadina Lake wildfire.

The wildfire didn't see anything growth, according to the BC Wildfire Service, and remains at 85,428 hectares.

Crews completed a machine guard from Isaac Lake to Keefe's Landing Road on Sunday and are nearly done a machine guard on the western flank of the fire as well.

Also on Sunday, an overnight crew continued to push guard from Nadina Forestry Service Road to Tahtsa Lake.

Despite a lack of growth in general, BC Wildfire says the fire was active on the southeast and northeast flanks over the weekend and the containment line north of the Owen East Road was challenged again.

"Although the fire jumped the guard on this northeast flank, crews were able to action the excursion and secure the containment line," read BC Wildfire's latest update.

(UPDATE: Aug. 26 @ 9:40 a.m.) - The Nadina Lake wildfire is mapped at 85,428.0 hectares this morning, the same as yesterday.

The Nadina fire received scattered amounts of precipitation Saturday night. There was no significant growth of the fire's perimeter Friday through Saturday night.

"Despite gusty winds from the NE, crews made good progress on containment lines," said BC Wildfire Service in an update this morning. "Air tankers worked on the Nadina fire throughout Saturday morning while heavy use was made of helicopter bucketing in the Wistaria area. Local equipment operators working with BCWS and contractors continue to make good progress on the eastern head of the fire constructing guards."

There are 56 firefighters at the scene today, along with 76 pieces of heavy equipment. In addition,there are 427 persons assigned to this fire complex, including 17 helicopters, and 172 pieces of heavy equipment are shared amongst all fires that comprise the Babine complex and will be "utilized according to areas of highest risk."

(UPDATE: Aug. 25 @ 1:54 p.m.) - The Nadina fire received scattered amounts of precipitation last night. Estimated at 85,428.0 hectares, the fire did not experience any significant growth overnight, says the BC Wildfire Service.

"The Nadina fire showed moderate fire behaviour yesterday afternoon, but there has been no significant growth of the fire's perimeter," said the BC Wildfire Service this morning. "The southeastern flank of the fire was very active today and air tankers were called in to work along the fire's perimeter northwest of Wistaria. The northeastern flank of the fire was also very active."

"The Owen East FSR to Francois Lake machine guard on the north side of Francois Lake was challenged today but crews were able to maintain the containment line. The northern flank of Nadina also continues to hold while crews perform mop up off of guards. A machine guard continues to be pushed in along the western flank of the Nadina Lake fire."

(UPDATE: Aug. 24 @ 6:55 a.m.) - The Nadina Lake showed more growth on Thursday, jumping more than 5,000 hectares to an estimated 84,910 hectares.

Crews were challenged by tough conditions, but were able to maintain the containment line between Owen East FSR and Francois Lake.

Increased fire behaviour is still expected for the coming days as winds continue to hit the area.

Winds could get up to 30 kilometres per hour today, but the high temperature will only be in the low 20s.

There are 60 firefighters working with 66 pieces of heavy equipment and 14 helicopters on the Nadina Lake wildfire.

Hundreds of personnel are assigned to the Babine fire complex, however, and are being utilized according to areas of highest risk.

(UPDATE: Aug. 23 @ 9:15 a.m.) - The Nadina Lake wildfire hasn't shown much growth over the last day or two, but that's surprising given the latest updates from BC Wildfire.

"Crews on the Nadina Lake and Verdun Mountain wildfires observed aggressive fire behaviour with winds gusting up to 40 kilometres per hour," said a tweet from the BC Wildfire Service.

"The BC Wildfire Service and the Bulkley Nechako Regional District are making allowances for critical life resources (ie: medicine, fuel for generators, food, etc.) to be brought to the Southside Ferry Terminal via a permit pass that is issued through the BNRD."

The fire, located about 60 kilometres southwest of Burns Lake, is estimated at 78,331 hectares, which makes it the third biggest fire in B.C.

Only the Alkali Lake wildfire (100,000 hectares) and the Shovel Lake wildfire (87,438 hectares) are bigger at the moment.

<who>Photo Credit: Contributed

Many residents in the vicinity of the Nadina Lake wildfire have ignored evacuation orders, choosing to stay behind to protect their property that they feel isn't getting enough attention from firefighters.

You can read more about that story here.

(UPDATE: Aug. 22 @ 6:35 p.m.) - The Nadina Lake wildfire is reportedly exhibiting very active fire behaviour with rank four classifications.

"Rank four means highly visible surface fire with torching or passive crown fire. We are seeing activity on the eastern head of the fire and the southern flank," explains BCWS.

Guard construction continues south of Tatalrose Road linking to Isaac Lake.

Evacuation Orders in the vicinity of the fire remain in effect.

(UPDATE: Aug. 22 @ 2 p.m.) - The BC Wildfire Service is anticipating increased fire activity this week at the Nadina Lake wildfire, located 60 km southwest of Burns Lake.

Fire Officials are concerned about the inherent safety risk to those individuals refusing to abide by the Evacuation Orders for the Nadina and Verdun fires on the South side of Francois Lake given the weather forecast for the next 72 hours. Fire growth is anticipated as well as extreme fire behaviour.

“Being placed on an Evacuation Order or engaging in fire suppression operations independently, can be a difficult and emotional experience; however, choosing to remain in an area under Evacuation Order puts yourself, your family, and potentially first responders in danger,” says the BC Wildfire Service.

“The protection of first responders and the public is the number one priority for BC Wildfire Service, which includes ensuring the safety of our own personnel. If you have chosen to remain in your home in the event of an Evacuation Order, it is important to understand that we may not be able to assist you, as you have been advised to leave the area for your own safety and we need to ensure the health and safety of our firefighters as well.”

Remaining in the area can impede their ability to fight a fire, they add, as crews may be forced to stop certain suppression activity to not put people who have stayed behind in further danger.

(UPDATE: Aug. 21 @ 5:35 p.m.) - BCWS has not reported a change in the size of one of BC's largest wildfires.

Nadina Lake wildfire remains at 78,002 hectares in size with 49 firefighters, 67 units of heavy equipment and 14 helicopters actioning the fire with additional support from 365 personnel with various pieces of equipment being shared between fires in the area.

Throughout Tuesday, heavy equipment continued labouring toward the creation of a north to south guard position on the eastern flank of the fire.

Aerial ignitions are also in the works on the northeast flank to tie in Owen East Road to the west end of Francois Lake, if weather conditions permit.

Crews will be returning to the southeast flank where Monday saw planned ignitions tying Oosta Lake into the south end of the fire.

An Evacuation Order remains in effect.

(UPDATE: Aug. 20 @ 11:30 p.m.) - BC Wildfire Service is expecting extreme fire behaviour and subsequent fire growth from the 78,002-hectare Nadina Lake wildfire this week — and that's not the only cause for concern.

According to BCWS, individuals are refusing to adhere to the Evacuation Orders issued to them by the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako (RDBN) on August 15.

The Orders encompass properties located in "all of the area West of Tahtsa FSR to 400 metres east of Nithi Road, Nithi Pit Road and a portion of Holy Cross Binta FSR. Francois Lake south to Ootsa Lake and Cheslatta Lake [as well as] all of the area West of Morice Own FSR to Kivi FSR," reports the RDBN as shown by the map below.

<who>Photo Credit: RDBN</who>

In response to the residents remaining behind on the south side of Francois Lake, BCWS said, "being placed on an Evacuation Order can be a difficult and emotional experience; however, choosing to remain in an area under Evacuation Order puts yourself, your family, and potentially first responders in danger."

"The protection of first responders and the public is the number one priority for BC Wildfire Service . . . if you have chosen to remain in your home in the event of an Evacuation Order, it is important to understand that we may not be able to assist you, as you have been advised to leave the area for your own safety and we need to ensure the health and safety of our firefighters as well," states BCWS, adding that remaining behind can impede firefighting suppression activities to compensate for protecting those who remain behind.

Monday's objectives for the 47 firefighters and 67 units of heavy equipment on the fire included constructing guard from Own Lake to Nadina Mountain and mopping up burned control lines. Removing danger trees has also been a focus.

In addition to the units listed above, there are 365 personnel assigned to the fire as well as 15 helicopters and 158 pieces of heavy equipment being shared amongst all the Babine complex fire.

Structural protection in the area is being handled by 25 fire trucks and 78 crew people hailing from various areas across the province.

(Original Story: Aug. 20 @ 11 a.m.)

Another fire to the west of Prince George has grown to an excessive size.

The Nadina Lake wildfire is now being estimated at 72,172 hectares, the second biggest in the province behind the nearby Shovel Lake wildfire.

The exact location for the large fire is 63 kilometres southwest of Burns Lake, which is close to 300 kilometres west of Prince George.

BC Wildfire has 47 firefighters and 66 pieces of heavy equipment devoted to this fire, but there’s also an additional 352 personnel that are being shared amongst all fires in the Babine Complex.

These resources will be utilized based on which areas show the highest risk to life and property.

For those crews, visibility continues to be the biggest challenge, as do a series of cutblocks on the west flank of Nadina Lake.

“Crews will attempt to open up the Owen East Road and prepare for planned ignitions,” says BC Wildfire with regards to the latest objectives. “A guard is being planned from Old Issac Trail to Moose Pit, keeping it on top of the ridge towards Verdun as a result of activity (on Sunday).”

“Crews will continue to mop up any burned control lines, continue to bunch trees along roadways to remove any danger trees and establish guard. The planning and construction of contingency guard is ongoing.”

NowMedia will continue to update this story as more information is made available.



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