BC Wildfire Crews work to protect Wells and historic town of Barkerville
The Antler Creek wildfire that led to the evacuation of Wells, Barkerville and Bowron area has now grown to 3,160 hectares in size.
Fire Information Officer Jeromy Corrigan says that is from 170 hectares yesterday. (Sunday)
He confirms that it was lightning caused.
He says extra precautions have been taken in the historic town of Barkerville.
“As of right now the fire is approximately 3 kilometres east-southeast of Barkerville. In Barkerville and Wells structural protection specialists were on site all day yesterday setting up equipment for structural protection in Barkerville and Wells. Smoke continues to be extremely visible throughout Barkerville, Wells, the surrounding area.”
Corrigan says they are expecting the fire behavior and smoke from that fire to increase today.
“We do know winds are expected to be strong again today, increasing to probably we could see sometime this afternoon around 40 to 50 kilometres an hour out of the south-southeast, and with temperatures around the low 30’s, there is definitely some challenges when it comes to the Antler Creek wildfire that crews will be dealing with.”
Corrigan says the good news is that the winds are expected to dissipate tomorrow.
He says ground crews, heavy equipment and a number of different air supports are working on this fire today.
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