Unseasonably warm and dry weather in the Kamloops Fire Centre resulted in heightened wildfire activity, and a busy weekend, for the BC Wildfire Service.

Ground crews and support aircraft responded to a number of new wildfires, as the BC Wildfire Service simultaneously increased its response to the two largest fires in the region. As of the morning of Tuesday, May 29, 2018, firefighters have made significant progress toward containing the three remaining “out of control” wildfires.     

Chattaway Lake (65 hectares, about 27 kilometres northwest of Merritt)

• The BC Wildfire Service began responding to this incident after it was reported on Sunday, May 27.
• A line of fire retardant was established by aircraft, heavy equipment operators fully enclosed the fire with a fire guard, and ground crews are working to suppress hot spots from the fire’s perimeter.
• As of 3 p.m. on Monday, May 28, aircraft had dropped 586,698 litres of water on this fire (not including fire retardant or water applied at ground level).
• These suppression efforts have decreased the need for additional air support and heavy equipment.
• Currently, 27 ground personnel (including contract crews) continue working on this fire.

Allie Lake (2,739 hectares, about 55 kilometres northwest of Kamloops)

• The BC Wildfire Service has been responding with multiple firefighting resources since this fire was first reported on Wednesday, May 23. An incident management team was assigned to this fire on the weekend to direct response operations.
• The wildfire currently covers 2,739 hectares, but there are several areas of unburned forest or “green islands” within the fire’s perimeter, resulting in a patchy burn pattern.
• Currently, 139 firefighters, seven helicopters and 12 pieces of heavy equipment are working to establish a fireguard around the perimeter.
• Crews have made significant progress containing this fire over the past few days, resulting in a decreased need for support from helicopters or airtankers.
• Structure protection units (large-scale sprinkler systems) have been deployed in some areas.
• For information about evacuation orders and alerts related to this wildfire, please contact the Thompson-Nicola Regional District: https://www.tnrd.ca
• An area restriction is currently in effect for this wildfire. For details (including a map of the affected area), please visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2018FLNR0141-001053

Xusum Creek (500 hectares, about 35 kilometres west of Lillooet near Anderson Lake)

• Significant progress has been made on this fire since the BC Wildfire Service began responding to it on Wednesday, May 23.
• An incident management team has been assigned to this fire to direct response operations.
• Air support, ground crews and heavy equipment operators have been working hard to control this fire. It is now 35% contained.
• As of Tuesday, May 29, 97 personnel (including contract firefighters) are assigned to the incident, with heavy equipment and air support assisting as needed.
• For information about evacuation orders and alerts related to this wildfire, please contact the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District: https://www.slrd.bc.ca

The Kamloops Fire Centre thanks members of the public for their continued help in preventing wildfires. Please support BC Wildfire Service personnel by staying clear of areas where wildfires are burning.

Report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation by calling 1 800 663-5555 toll-free, or *5555 on a cellphone.

For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, go to: http://www.bcwildfire.ca

You can also follow the latest B.C. wildfire news:

• On Twitter: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo
• On Facebook: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

Quick Facts:

• Incident management teams are assigned to wildfires when they burn for extended periods or when individual fires merge into a larger “complex fire.”
• Incident management teams are made up of highly skilled professionals, who focus on the overall management of a single wildfire incident.
• This approach allows local BC Wildfire Service staff to prioritize their response to any new wildfires that occur.