The Precipice wildfire that is burning about 52 kilometres east of Bella Coola continues to grow. This lightning-caused fire started on July 7, 2017, in a remote area of Tweedsmuir Park on the Cariboo Plateau, known locally as “The Precipice”.

As of the afternoon of Aug. 5, this fire covered about 4,300 hectares and had spread beyond the park boundary. BC Wildfire Service personnel are continuing work on this fire and develop further control strategies. BC Wildfire Service firefighters face challenging conditions, including a lack of road access, continuous forest fuels and smoke that has impeded aircraft operations.

This fire has been burning since July 8, 2017, and is threatening several cabins and homesteads on the Cariboo Plateau. The Central Coast Regional District implemented an evacuation order on July 10, 2017, for these homesteads. Details can be found on the district’s website at: http://www.ccrd-bc.ca

On Aug. 3, wind activity pushed the fire eastward and the BC Wildfire Service recommended that the local government consider issuing an evacuation alert for a larger area.

The Cariboo Regional District has now issued an evacuation alert for the Anahim Lake, Charlotte Lake and Nimpo Lake areas. The evacuation alert and a map of the affected areas is available on the Cariboo Regional District website at: http://cariboord.ca

More information about the Precipice fire is available at www.bcwildfire.ca on the “Fires of Note” page.

The Coastal Fire Centre thanks the public for its help in preventing wildfires. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, visit the BC Wildfire Service website at: www.bcwildfire.ca

To report a wildfire, columns of smoke or an open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.

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