News

Status: The Shovel Lake wildfire experienced unpredicted aggressive fire behaviour on the north flank tonight. Heavy wind and fuels contributed to aggressive fire behaviour near the Sutherland River Protected Area. In the northeast corner, a finger of fire moved 8 km through slash, and is in larger containment lines at this point. Crews are working late on the line in an effort to suppress fire activity on the northeastern flank. The thick smoke has reduced visibility to below the legal flying limit for several days and without air support such as helicopters, skimmers, and air tankers crews were challenged today. Favourable winds tomorrow should allow air operations to occur in the morning which will allow crews to be supported from the air.

Island Lake Wildfire (R11921)
Location: Adjacent to Island Lake
Status: 17,291 hectares (mapped—infrared scan)
Cause: Under investigation
Resources: 65 firefighters, 24 pieces of heavy equipment, 9 helicopters (shared in the complex)

Objectives: Air support has been grounded for the most part of the last three days. There was a 120 hectare excursion to the south of Anzus Lake running southeast towards Borel Lake four days ago. Equipment has gone ahead of this excursion and has created guard to stop further growth. Crews continue to monitor for and extinguish any spot fires. Ground crews and heavy equipment are continuing to work off the 238 Road to build a fuel free containment line. Structural firefighters are monitoring for values in need of structural protection in the area and on the lakeshore.

To read more about these fires click on the link below:
http://darac.sg-host.com/wp-content/uploads/18_71W19GC_Wildfire_Update_Fraser_Complex_Aug_22_-_PM.pdf

Status: The Shovel Lake wildfire has not moved towards Highway 27, Fort St. James, or Highway 16 in the past 5 days. It is currently ~14.5km from the furthest eastern point of the fire to Highway 27, however, the main eastern flank of the fire is still between 20km -23km away from Highway 27. The fire is still also holding north of the png pipeline guard on the southern flank.  The fire perimeter is ~5.30km northeast of Highway 16 on the furthest western tip, ~5.7 km north of Highway 16 near Endako, and ~7.25km north of Highway 16 near Fort Fraser where the main eastern flank of the fire runs.

Island Lake Wildfire (R11921) Location: Adjacent to Island Lake    Status: 17,291 hectares (mapped—infrared scan) Cause: Under investigation  Resources: 65 firefighters, 15 pieces of heavy equipment, 8 helicopters (shared in the complex)

Objectives:  Air support has been grounded for the most part of the last three days. The smoke is reducing fire behaviour, however, it is difficult to determine the exact location of the fire perimeter. The Island Lake fire remains active, but visibility is very poor over the fire. There was a 120 hectare excursion to the south of Anzus Lake running southeast towards Borel Lake three days ago. Equipment has gone ahead of this excursion and has created guard to stop further growth.  
There is some increased activity on the south east corner of the fire below Anzus Lake. A 50 hectare planned ignition was conducted to remove fuels ahead of the fire.

For more information click on the link below:
http://darac.sg-host.com/wp-content/uploads/18_71W19GC_Wildfire_Update_Fraser_Complex_Aug_21_-_PM.pdf

Canadian catch in commercial fisheries is around 1.4 million fish, predominantly in the Area B purse seine (728,300) and Area E gillnet (444,900) fisheries. For First Nations, FSC fisheries have been ongoing throughout the marine approach and in-river, and a few EO fisheries have been occurring in the Lower Fraser. Recreational fisheries in the marine approach and in-river recreational fishery catch is only reported after multiple weeks of fishing and is currently unavailable.

By: Aidan Fisher, FRAFS Biologist

Click on the link below to read more of the newsletter:
http://darac.sg-host.com/wp-content/uploads/20180817_FRAFS_Watershed_Talk.pdf

Objectives: The Shovel Lake fire remains active, and has currently been mapped at 84,793.7 hectares using high level infra-red scans. Today ground crews worked to mop up sections of the fire on the southern perimeter and will continue to push guard in on the southern flank of the fire. The east side of the fire was active yesterday and crossed over the Settlement Road, moving through some heavy timber and into a field, moving under the burn scar from last year. Heavy equipment and crews worked to tie this back in to the perimeter yesterday. Skimmers also were working on the Hannay Road guard to assist equipment and crews on the ground. Crews along the south perimeter of the fire conducted a successful planned ignition yesterday, creating an approximately six kilometre fuel free from Stern Lake to Ormond Creek. This reinforces the containment line that has been put in place along the png pipeline and will help stop fire growth south towards the north shore of Fraser Lake by removing fuel within the fire perimeter to eliminate the chance of re-burn and fire spotting potential. This planned ignition was supported by water skimming aircraft off of Fraser Lake, airtankers dropping fire retardant, and bucketing helicopters. Structural firefighters and structural protection specialists were on the Stella Road area to protect structures as a proactive measure during the burn-off. Night crews were assigned to active sections of the fire last night to keep communities and structures safe. Heavy equipment has now pushed continuous guard on the south side of the fire going east. The continuous guard starts at the Sutherland FSR and links to Dog Creek Trail, with the containment line running north of the png pipeline and Stella Rd. This continuous guard veers northward to wrap up the eastern side of the fire, crossing Barlow FSR and extending northward. The eastern guard is currently about one kilometre northwest of Marie Lake. Ground crews and heavy equipment will also continue making a guard near Hannay Rd on the northwestern side of the fire today. While the BC Wildfire Service appreciates the support from the local communities, we are unable to accept or facilitate donations at the Fraser Lake fire camp. Instead, please consider donating to groups supporting wildfire evacuees in affected areas.
Evacuations: An Evacuation Order and Alert remains in effect for this wildfire by the Bulkley Nechako Regional District, with the alert being expanded last night. For more information visit: https://www.rdbn.bc.ca/
BC Wildfire Service continues to implement an Area Order Restriction to protect public safety due to the wildfire’s rate of spread and to avoid interference with fire suppression efforts. The area restriction will remain in place until noon on Sept. 15, 2018, or until the order is rescinded. The area restriction order applies to all Crown land outlined on the map (including recreational campgrounds) that is available online at: http://ow.ly/X8Mr30lbPR9

Island Lake Wildfire (R11921)
Location: Adjacent to Island Lake
Status: 14,864 hectares in size (estimated)
Cause: Under investigation
Resources: 64 firefighters, 11 pieces of heavy equipment, 8 helicopters shared in the complex

Objectives: The Island Lake fire was active yesterday, with noticeable smoke coming off of the incident in the morning. There was a 120 hectare excursion to the south of Anzus Lake running southeast towards Borel Lake. No structural values were threatened. Crews continue to monitor for and extinguish any spot fires. Ground crews and heavy equipment are continuing to work off the 238 Road to build a fuel free containment line. Hand ignitions were conducted yesterday evening to support the development of safety zones between Borel Lake and Anzus Lake. Heavy equipment are working night shifts to build guard while fire activity is minimal. Today, crews will continue their work to tie the fire into the former Binta Fire burn scar from 2010. Crews are continuing to build guard on the southeast flank and the 238 Road and are monitoring for values in need of structural protection in the area and on the lakeshore. The weather is anticipated to be warm and dry today, with winds alternating from the east and the north up to 15 km/hr. While the BC Wildfire Service appreciates the support from the local communities, we are unable to accept or facilitate donations at the Fraser Lake fire camp. Instead please consider donating to groups supporting wildfire evacuees in affected areas.

Fire Weather Summary
Sunday – Sunny. Winds becoming N-E 8-15km/h. High temperatures near 26 and minimum RH 20-25%. Sunday night the inversion issue returns with lower recovery aloft.
Outlook Monday and Tuesday — The ridge drifts inland Monday. Sunshine continues and temps rise to near 28°C with humidity in the low 20’s. Winds Monday light E-NE. On Tuesday, a weak upper cold front moves to near Smithers as the ridge heads east. Sunshine continues and temperatures remain near 28°C with humidity in the low 20’s. Winds become SW-W 15-20km/h with potential gusts to 30.

http://darac.sg-host.com/wp-content/uploads/18_71W19GC_Wildfire_Update_Fraser_Complex_Aug_19_-_PM.pdf

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, August 17, 2018

Carrier Sekani Tribal Council and Prince George Indigenous Organizations Collaborate on Wildfire Evacuee Services Response

Dakelh Territory, Prince George:  The Carrier Sekani Tribal Council (CSTC) and numerous Prince George Indigenous organizations are collaborating to help contribute a volunteer effort toward the Evacuation Support Services for First Nations fleeing the wildfires raging in the northwestern region of the province.

Many of the evacuees arriving in Prince George originate from First Nations communities dispersed throughout the region that are impacted by the Shovel Lake Fire. The kindness and effort displayed by volunteers and Prince George City workers at the City Emergency Reception Centre located at the CN Centre has been outstanding. The collaborating team will be working hard with the City of Prince George to streamline and improve the effort to support evacuees.

Indigenous organizations that are a part of this collaborative effort include: Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS), Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment and Training Association (PGNAETA), British Columbia Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN), Aboriginal Housing Society (AHS), Prince George Native Friendship Centre (PGNFC), Yekooche First Nations, Stellat’en First Nation, Nadleh Whut’en, Kluskus First Nation, Tl’azt’en Nation, to name a few.

“This collaboration demonstrates how Indigenous peoples will pull together in times of crises as they bring together resources to help each other. This is how we build and display strength and resilience as we work to withstand extreme challenges.” states Ben Berland, General Manager.

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Contact: General Manager, Ben Berland, CSTC Office: (250) 562-6279, cell (778)349-3718.

http://darac.sg-host.com/wp-content/uploads/2018-08-17_Wildfire_Indigenous_PG_response.pdf

Objectives: The Shovel Lake fire remains active. Around the entire perimeter there was some small growth. Structural Protection is being conducted in the community of Fort St. James, Nadleh Whut’en, and the north shore of Fraser Lake. Better visibility this morning will facilitate improved mapping of the fire perimeter. Crews and heavy equipment continue to work to establish guard along the png pipeline east from Stern Lake, as well as along the east side of the fire on the Sutherland FSR and Barlow FSR as an equipment strike team in conjunction with local industry. Crews will be conducting a burn-off from Stern Lake to Ormond Creek to remove fuels from the south perimeter. This will act as a fuel free area to help stop the fire growth south towards the north shore of Fraser Lake. Air tankers and skimmers were assisting the equipment in establishing this guard two days ago, and will continue today as visibility allows. Additional resources will be arriving today and tomorrow.

Evacuations: An Evacuation Order and Alert remains in effect for this wildfire by the Bulkley Nechako Regional District, with the alert being expanded last night. For more information visit: https://www.rdbn.bc.ca/ BC Wildfire Service continues to implement an Area Order Restriction to protect public safety due to the wildfire’s rate of spread and to avoid interference with fire suppression efforts. The area restriction will remain in place until noon on Sept. 15, 2018, or until the order is rescinded. The area restriction order applies to all Crown land outlined on the map (including recreational campgrounds) that is available online at: http://ow.ly/X8Mr30lbPR9

Click on the link below to access more info:

http://darac.sg-host.com/wp-content/uploads/18_71W19GC_Wildfire_Update_Fraser_Complex_Aug_17-min.pdf

Updated graphic now showing 5 days of fire growth with top image from August 17th.

http://darac.sg-host.com/wp-content/uploads/18_R11498_MAP_Public_Info_8.5x11P_20180815.pdf