Wildfire crews have responded to 10 new fires in the Cariboo Fire Centre over the past week.
The Cariboo Fire Centre experienced numerous lightning strikes in the southwest portion of the region on Aug. 14.
There has not been any lightning in the Cariboo since then, but with the warm weather and dry conditions, the CFC is now picking up holdover fires from Friday’s lightning storm.
Of the 10 new fires, four are out and six remain active at this time.
The McNeil Lake fire was discovered on Saturday and covers 0.5 hectares. Crews responded throughout the weekend and 18 firefighters and a helicopter are on site today sup- pressing the fire.
A fire north of Chilko Lake was reported on Tuesday morning that covers about eight hectares.
Airtankers surrounded the fire with retardant and 23 firefighters were on site Wednesday with the support of two helicopters and three pieces of heavy equipment.
Four news fires were discovered Wednesday as of 3 p.m. and crews are currently responding.
The largest of these fires is located northwest of Snag Lake and covers 0.5 hectares in size.
Ground crews and air support are actively suppressing this fire.
Some Cariboo Fire Centre staff and crews are also providing assistance on wildfires of note in the Kamloops Fire Centre and Southeast Fire Centre. These deployments not only support other fire centres in B.C, they also provide additional opportunities for the Cariboo Fire Centre to use its contractor community for fire suppression.
Currently, the fire danger rating is “high” and “extreme” throughout most of the Cariboo Fire Centre, with a few areas of “moderate.”The public is reminded that campfires are only allowed east of the Fraser River.