The BC Wildfire Service expects that wildfires burning in the Cassiar Fire Zone will become more active today, Aug. 13, 2019, due to strong winds in the region. This wind pattern is forecasted to continue until Friday, Aug. 16, 2019.

Some of the more prominent wildfires in the Northwest Fire Centre include:

Tagish Lake fire (R90881)

• This fire is burning about 40 kilometres west of Atlin and, due to increased activity, is now considered to be a wildfire of note. It has not grown significantly in the past week from its estimated size of 1,400 hectares, but it may spread as winds increase.
• The BC Wildfire Service has implemented a plan to protect several cabins in the vicinity of this fire. Personnel have activated structural protection units (large-scale sprinklers) on the cabins and installed a remote camera to continuously monitor fire activity.
• Seventeen firefighters, supported by aircraft, are working to suppress the parts of the fire closest to the structures. Airtankers dropped fire retardant around the buildings on Aug. 12 and will be working on the fire again today.
• Several cabins farther away are being assessed for possible use of structural protection units.
• Smoke from the Tagish Lake fire may be visible in Atlin.
• Emergency Management BC issued an evacuation order and an evacuation alert for southwest Tagish Lake on Aug. 8. For more information, including maps of the affected areas, visit the Emergency Management BC website: https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/evacuation-order-and-alert-issued-for-southwest-tagish-lake-august-8-2019/

Barrington River fire (R91233)

• This wildfire is burning about 50 kilometres west of Telegraph Creek and has been mapped at 2,562 hectares. It has not grown significantly in the past week and no communities or structures are currently threatened.
• Structural protection units (large-scale sprinklers) have been installed at a fish camp at Tahltan Lake, about halfway between Telegraph Creek and the fire. Stronger winds are forecasted to begin on Aug. 13 and may increase the amount of smoke visible from the communities of Glenora and Telegraph Creek.
• The BC Wildfire Service continues to closely monitor this fire.

Mehan Lake fire (R51309)

• This wildfire is burning west of Highway 37, about four kilometres south of Bell II and about 75 kilometres north of Meziadin Junction. It covers about 58 hectares.
• About 60 firefighters are working on this fire. It is classified as “being held,” which means it is unlikely to spread (given current suppression activities).
• The BC Wildfire Service requests that travellers use extra caution in the area due to smoke and firefighting activities.

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone. For up-to-date information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, call 1 888 3-FOREST or visit: www.bcwildfire.ca