Dunster-Croydon fire grows to 164 hectares
Fires near Hailey Creek have merged
By Abigail Popple, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, RMG
The Dunster-Croydon fire, south of the Fraser River, has grown to 164 hectares since its discovery on Friday. The fire is currently out of control, meaning BCWS anticipates it will spread beyond its current perimeter.
BCWS Information Officer Sharon Nickel said BCWS is establishing a machine guard at the base of the hill where the fire is burning.
“They’re working on getting a fuel-free area and establishing some guard there to help protect from any spread that may come down the hill,” Nickel said. “They have three helicopters assigned (to the Dunster-Croydon fire) today, but should any kind of substantial wind come in or if visibility is really poor, it would take some time for us to get resources out in the air.”
Crews fighting the fire have seen increased fire activity in the evening, when aviation resources are grounded, according to Nickel.
“When we aren’t having that aviation resource availability, there’s activity picking up because we can’t get a ton of water on those fires in more remote locations or steep terrain,” Nickel said. “And with the longer days, and how sunny and warm it’s been, there’s been an uptick of activity later in the day.”
The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George issued an evacuation alert for the area on Saturday. Residents in the affected area, outlined above, must be ready to leave on short notice and should prepare an emergency kit for their household, as well as make an evacuation plan for pets and other animals on their property.
Two fires near Hailey Creek, north of the Fraser River, have merged into one. According to Nickel, this may make the fire easier to manage, though it still comes with a unique set of challenges.
“When fires merge, that typically will take away the larger pockets of that unburned fuel, so there’s not as much there for the fire to consume,” she said. “But the challenge with that is, now you’ve got a larger perimeter.”
