A 90-hectare fire west of Riske Creek on Bald Mountain is 100 per cent guarded.
The fire grew to 50 hectares in size on Sunday. Fire retardant and two pieces of heavy equipment, coupled with the help of natural barriers, helped prevent the fire from growing overnight, Cariboo Fire Centre communications officer Jenny Fremlin says. However, the fire’s size was upgraded to 90 hectares Monday afternoon.
“Today (Monday) there are 25 Cariboo Fire Centre crew personnel, one response officer and 20 contract crew personnel, and one helicopter manning the fire. The fire is 30 per cent machine guarded — the two pieces of heavy equipment are working to build a fuel-free guard as a perimeter.”
The cause is still under investigation at this time and Fremlin says it is not considered an interface fire, meaning there are no homes nearby.
A 47-hectare fire discovered at Siwash, west of Anaham, May 12 is out, and an 11-hectare fire discovered at Konni Lake on May 13 is also out.
One 20-person unit crew and four single resources from the Cariboo Fire Centre are currently in Ontario assisting with fire suppression activities, and another single resource left for Quebec from Kamloops last week.
Additionally, two 20-person unit crews, and three single resources, left to Quebec from Prince George.
“The personnel from the Cariboo Fire Centre already deployed and the ones leaving today (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday) are part of a larger contingency currently deployed or soon to be deployed out of province,” Fremlin says. “Sufficient resources remain to respond to any fires that may occur and we are continuously assessing the situation. Should it change, crews can be recalled within 24 hours.”