http://bcwildfire.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/News.asp Ministry of Forests and Range: Wildfire Management Branch Copyright 2009, Province of British Columbia en-ca Tue, 30 Jul 2010 11:34:00 PST http://bcwildfire.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=1732
Protecting life and property is the highest priority for crews working to manage these fires. All of the Cariboo Fire Centre's available resources are currently working in the region, including firefighters, helicopters and heavy equipment, with additional assistance from other parts of the province.

With high to extreme fire danger ratings and an increase in fire activity, all open burning, including campfires, is now prohibited within the Cariboo Fire Centre. As the risk of wildfires increases it is critical to prevent person caused fires, which detract resources away from naturally occurring fires caused by lightning.

The Cariboo Fire Centre advises the public to use extreme caution when driving on backcountry roads as they are very dusty and smoky due to active wildfires.

To report a wildfire or unattended campfire please call *5555 on your cell or toll-free 1-800-663-5555. For the latest information on fire activity, conditions and prohibitions, visit the Wildfire Management Branch website at www.bcwildfire.ca. For Facebook and Twitter updates, as well as details about evacuation orders and alerts, road conditions and air quality advisories, go to www.firesafebc.ca.
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While most fires have remained small, some have been challenging and smoke from these fires may be visible throughout the Cariboo and surrounding areas. Airtankers and helicopters have been assisting firefighters by attacking fires from the air, slowing their spread and making access from the ground easier and safer.

A cluster of five fires near Pelican Lake, 75 kilometres west of Quesnel, has been estimated to cover 1,000 hectares. Significant smoke is visible to surrounding communities.

Several fires near Alexis Creek have prompted the Cariboo Regional District to issue an evacuation alert for residents living on Bayliff Road. The largest of these fires is currently estimated at 350 hectares.

Volatile activity at two wildfires south and west of Meldrum Creek, 15 kilometres west of Williams Lake, has resulted in an evacuation order for residents in the area. The largest of these fires is approximate 800 hectares in size.

Residents impacted by any of these fires can call the Cariboo Regional District Emergency Operations Centre at 250-392-4283 for information and assistance with evacuation alerts and orders.

Smoke from a fire near 140 Mile House, 30 kilometres south of Williams Lake, is very visible along Highway 97, but is not posing a threat communities or infrastructure.

Fire officials will be closely monitoring the weather over the coming days. A chance of afternoon thunderstorms is forecasted each day, and winds from these thunder cells can elevate fire activity. Temperatures are expected to remain hot and dry through the extended forecast.

To report a wildfire or unattended campfire please call *5555 on your cell or toll-free 1 800 663-5555. For the latest information on fire activity, conditions and prohibitions, visit the Wildfire Management Branch website at www.bcwildfire.ca. For Facebook and Twitter updates, as well as details about evacuation orders and alerts, road conditions and air quality advisories, go to www.firesafebc.ca.
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Today, the Fire Centre is anticipating a heightened level of activity, as more thunderstorms are forecasted with low relative humidities and gusty winds. In order to detect these new fire starts quickly, the Cariboo Fire Centre has manned three look-outs, and is sending aircraft to look for new fire starts. Additional resources are readily available, if needed.

In addition to the new small fires, there remain two fires of note within the Cariboo Fire Centre's jurisdiction. The first, the Kluskus Fire, remains mapped at 460 hectares and is 100 percent contained. On site, 140 fire suppression personnel are working in conjunction with heavy equipment and helicopters, to cool any remaining hot spots within the fire's perimeter. This fire is not threatening any homes.

The second fire of note is located in south Tweedsmuir Park, and is mapped at 1700 hectares. This fire is in a modified response area, and is being allowed to burn in order to promote the Provincial Park's natural forest ecology. If the fire grows beyond pre-determined trigger points, established by the land manager, Forest Service staff are well positioned to action the fire. This fire is not threatening any communities

The Cariboo Fire Centre will continue to be busy with lightning caused fires. It is important that people do not add to this workload by causing preventable forest fires. As much of the region remains in an extreme fire danger rating, the fire centre urges the public to maintain extreme caution around all sources of heat. The public is also reminded that effective at noon, July 29, all open burning, including campfires and fireworks, will be prohibited across the Cariboo Fire Centre's jurisdiction, including Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, to help prevent human-caused wildfires and to protect public safety.
To report a wildfire or unattended campfire call *5555 on your cell phone, or 1-800-663-5555. For the latest information on fire activity, fire bans and current conditions, visit the Wildfire Management Branch website at www.bcwildfire.ca. For Facebook and Twitter updates, as well as details about evacuation orders and alerts, road conditions and air quality advisories, go to www.firesafebc.ca.

The Cariboo Fire Centre covers an area of about 10.3 million hectares, stretching from Clinton (Loon Lake) to the south, north to Cottonwood River just north of Quesnel, east to the western boundary of Wells Gray Provincial Park and west to the western boundary of Tweedsmuir Provincial Park.

]]> Sun, 28 Jul 2010 12:10:00 PST http://bcwildfire.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=1713 This ban applies to open fires of any size, including campfires, fires with a burn registration number and industrial burning, fireworks, tiki torches and burning barrels.
The ban does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or to portable campfire apparatus with a CSA or ULC rating using briquettes, liquid or gaseous fuel, as long as the flame is kept under 15 centimetres in length.
The ban covers the Cariboo Fire Centre's entire jurisdiction, and, in addition, Tweedsmuir Park. A map of the area is available at http://bcwildfire.ca/ftp/!Project/WildfireNews/7262010~115210_CFC%20Tweeds.jpg
Within this area, the ban covers all BC Parks, Crown and private lands, but does not apply within the boundaries of local governments that have forest fire prevention bylaws and are serviced by a fire department. Please check with civic authorities for any restrictions before lighting a fire.
Anyone found in violation of an open fire ban, including campfires, may be issued a ticket for $345. Should a wildfire occur as a result of recklessness, a person can be fined up to $1 million or spend three years in prison and be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
The ban will be in place until the public is otherwise notified.
The Cariboo Fire Centre covers an area of about 10.3 million hectares, stretching from Clinton (Loon Lake) to the south, north to Cottonwood River just north of Quesnel, east to the western boundary of Wells Gray Provincial Park and west to the western boundary of Tweedsmuir Provincial Park (see attached map).
To report a wildfire or unattended campfire please call *5555 on your cell or toll-free 1 800 663-5555.

For the latest information on fire activity, conditions and prohibitions, visit the Wildfire Management Branch website at www.bcwildfire.ca.

For Facebook and Twitter updates, as well as details about evacuation orders and alerts, road conditions and air quality advisories, go to www.firesafebc.ca
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