Wildfire danger is increasing in Cariboo-Chilcotin as fires continue to burn in the northeast of the region after dry lightning came through on July 9.
Much of the region and the province is in high fire danger rating as of July 16, with some pockets of extreme and some of moderate fire danger rating as well.
There are 154 active wildfires in the province, 21 of which were detected within the last 24 hours. BC Wildfire Service has extinguished 41 wildfires within the past 24 hours and 123 within the past seven days.
Nineteen wildfires continue to burn within the Cariboo Fire Centre and some have been left to monitor within the boundaries of the Bowron Lakes Provincial Park.
Four of these wildfires are listed as under control, six as being held, and nine as out of control, on bcwildfire.ca as of July 16.
Three fires north of Spanish Lake, which is located east of the community of Likely, are large project fires in or near areas of mountain caribou habitat. One of the fires is listed as 135 hectares and is receiving a modified response, one is listed as 150 hectares and is getting a full response and is listed as being held, and one is estimated as 300 hectares and is also receiving a modified response.
The Cornish Mountain wildfire north of Wells is listed as being held at 70 hectares and has 72 personnel assigned to the fire, supported by aircraft and 10 pieces of equipment. The evacuation alert for the community of Wells had been rescinded and the evacuation order for some of the properties closer to the fire had been downgraded to an evacuation alert as of July 16.
A 6.9 hectare wildfire north of Wentworth Creek and in the Nazko area west of Quesnel is being actioned by 26 firefighting personnel.
The north east of the Cariboo, where much of the lightning hit on July 9, is a challenging region to fight wildfires, as the area consists of large sections of dense interior rainforest on steep mountainous terrain.
Dry, hot conditions continue in the Cariboo-Chilcotin, with no significant rainfall in the forecast and a heat warning continuing through the week for the Williams Lake area.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1-800-663-5555 (toll-free), *5555 on a cellphone or submit a report directly through the BC Wildfire Service mobile app.
