Lightning storms over last weekend resulted in six new forest fires within the Northwest Fire Centre. None are reported to be threatening communities or major infrastructure as of Sept. 16, 2013.
Late last week, an evacuation notice was issued for the Tetachuk Lake region. A wildfire near Eutsuk Lake has now grown to 3,350 hectares in size. Residents and recreational users of Tetachuk Lake are advised to prepare for an evacuation order.
The Eutsuk Lake wildfire in Tweedsmuir North Provincial Park grew over the weekend. It is being treated as a ‘modified response fire’, meaning that the fire will be monitored but allowed to burn since it is in a region that will benefit from the fire activity.
If you need transportation assistance, call 250-692-3195, or, 1-800-320-3339.
Currently, crews from the Northwest Fire Centre have established sprinkler systems to protect cabins, as well fuel breaks and roads, to help contain the fire which is expected to grow in size.
Compliance and enforcement officials with the Wildfire Management Branch continued to investigate three suspicious fires near Burn Lake. Each of the three fires were set and abandoned, either as burning piles or large campfires.
“These types of fires put fire crews, natural resources, property and people at risk,” said Suzanne Pearce, Northwest Fire Centre fire information officer. “They also unnecessarily add to the workload of Wildfire Management Branch personnel and crews.”
Members of the public can anonymously report the details of suspicious fire activity to Crime Stoppers at www.bccrimestoppers.com or by calling 1 800 222-TIPS. If a tip results in an arrest and charge, the caller could receive a cash reward of up to $2000.
Currently, the wildfire danger rating throughout the Northwest Fire Centre ranges from moderate to extreme. In the Lakes District, the rating is mostly in the moderate range.