** Updated on August 3**
Nazko First Nation has issued an Evacuation Alert in its Territory as the Snaking River Wildfire (C11164) has grown to 1,168 hectares in size.
BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) says the fire, located 65 kilometres west of Quesnel, has increased from daytime heating and solar radiation in the region over the past few days.
According the BCWS updates, the heat and radiation have dried fuel sources in the area have increased the fire’s activity and behaviour. BCWS also says the fire is primarily moving southward.
The wildfire service says the cooler temperatures during the evenings and nights have helped moderate the fire to allow ground crews to make progress on suppression efforts.
Structure protection has joined the ground crews, heavy equipment, and aviation support. BCWS reports that one of the ground crew’s main objectives is to anchor off the northern flank of the fire, where the heavy equipment is establishing a fuel-free area.
The next steps are to work progressivly south along the eastern and western flanks of the fire.
BCWS says on Saturday, August 2 a small-scale planned ignition was conducted that brought the fire to an established control line along the northwestern side.
Nazko First Nation issued an Evacuation Alert throughout its Territory, alongside the Cariboo Regional District (CRD). Expanding the Evacuation Alert the CRD issued on July 31.
The expanded Alert now covers 190 parcels of land in the Nazko Area, covering roughly 22,738 hectares.
** Updates by Teryn Midzain, My Cariboo Now ***
**Updated on August 2***
BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) and the Cariboo Fire Centre report the Snaking River wildfire has reached 624 hectares in size.
The Fire Centre says 68 fire personnel are responding to the fire and have established a control line by developing a fuel-free area.
Fire Crews are being supported with seven pieces of heavy equipment, with helicopters assisting with bucketing, as well as Birddog and Air Tanker support.
According to BCWS’ interactive map, the Snaking River wildfire (C11164) is showing Rank 1 and Rank 2 fire behaviour. That is a smouldering ground fire with low vigour surface fires and a slow rate of speed.
Ground crews are using direct attack methods to respond to the wildfire.
The Evacuation Alert, issued by the Cariboo Regional District, is still in effect.
The Cariboo Fire Centre says smoke is visible along Highway 97; however, the fire does not appear to be a threat to critical and residential infrastructure.
** Update on July 31, at 12:45 pm**
The Snaking River fire has grown to 300 hectares in size, and is the largest of 13 known fires in the Cariboo region.
Cariboo Fire Centre says the fire remains ‘Out of Control’, and ground crews with heavy equipment and helicopter support are on location.
The Evacuation Alert put out by the Cariboo Regional District has been expanded to 71 parcels of land in the Harrington Road area.
A list of evacuation protocols and essentials to take when evacuating can be found on the Regional District’s website.
** Updates from Teryn Midzain, My Cariboo Now **
** Original Story **
An Evacuation Alert has been issued by Cariboo Regional District for one parcel of land in the Harrington Road area due to the Snaking River Fire.
According to the BC Wildfire Service, the blaze, 65 km west of Quesnel is 150 hectares in size.
The fire is producing smoke that is visible from Quesnel, Highway 97 and surrounding communities.
On Wednesday, the Cariboo Fire Centre received 1245 lightning strikes, resulting in 13 new wildfire starts.
The Snaking River wildfire is deemed out of control and has six firefighting personnel responding along with aviation crews and heavy equipment.
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