The BC Wildfire Service is continuing to fight six out-of-control wildfires in the South Cariboo.
These fires include a trio of wildfires north of Canim Lake and a trio northeast of Bridge Lake, all started by lightning over the Labour Day long weekend. At this time, no structures are being threatened by any of these fires.
The Bowers Lake fire, located just over six kilometres east of Bowers Lake, is currently listed at 48 hectares as of Wednesday, Sept. 3, at 2 p.m. The BC Wildfire Service has assigned 24 firefighters, aviation resources and heavy equipment to help contain and extinguish the blaze.
To help fight the fire, a small-scale hand ignition was completed successfully around the northwest corner and west flank of the fire. Meanwhile, heavy equipment has been sent to secure the southern flank, while ground crews have established a 10-foot wetline on the east flank.
"Today, ground crews will continue to extend the wetline from west to north," the BC Wildfire Service said. "Aviation resources remain actively engaged in suppression efforts."
Nearby, the Windy Creek fire sits at 20 hectares in size with 22 firefighters on site, who are supported by heavy equipment and aviation assets. Last night, heavy equipment worked late to establish a fuel-free guard around the fire. Grounds crews are now working to establish a 20-foot wetline and conducting danger tree assessments as needed.
Meanwhile, the Cougar Lake fire is estimated to be 14 hectares, with 25 firefighters assigned to combat the fire with aviation assets and heavy equipment support. Heavy equipment has completed a fuel-free guard on the fire's southeast flank. At the same time, ground crews have set up sprinklers in the area to keep the humidity of the green spaces bordering the fire high.
"Today, crews will assess the west flank and begin direct attack, establishing a 20-foot wetline into the perimeter of the fire and conducting danger tree assessments where needed," the BC Wildfire Service said.
As for the trio of wildfires burning near Bosk Lake, the last update on these fires is from Monday, Sept. 1, listing two at under a hectare and the largest, C41768, at 35 hectares in size. At this time, the BC Wildfire Service has no personnel assigned to these fires and is instead managing them using techniques designed to minimize the damage while maximizing the fire's ecological benefits.
"Suppression or values protection may occur in areas of an otherwise beneficial fire," BC Wildfire Service noted.
The 100 Mile Free Press has reached out to BC Wildfire Service for further details regarding the fires near Bosk Lake and will update this story when they respond.
