By Spencer Hall
The BC Wildfire Service says lightning has sparked 13 new wildfires in the Robson Valley Fire Zone since Friday morning.
The largest of these fires is located south of Dora Creek near West Clemina and was discovered at about 6:50 p.m. on Friday evening. At the time of writing this article, the blaze is estimated at 48.55 hectares. The fire is listed as out of control, meaning it either is spreading or expected to spread past its current perimeter or control line. The BCWS is managing the fire using a combination of techniques with “the goal to minimize costs and damage while maximizing ecological benefits from the fire.” The Goat reached out to the BCWS for more details on how it is responding to this incident, but did not hear back by time of publication.
A two-hectare fire was discovered south of Beaver River near McBride at 2:08 p.m. Friday afternoon. Since its discovery, it has grown to 7.5 hectares and remains listed as out of control. There are currently two initial attack crews assigned to this fire, with BCWS personnel being supported by contract crews. Wildfire aviation personnel have also been assigned to the blaze to support BCWS ground personnel.
The third largest fire is estimated at five hectares and is located 23 km west of the North Thompson River. It was discovered at 7:30 p.m. Friday evening. BCWS is observing and analyzing this fire and is not immediately suppressing it. The wildfire service says this is done to achieve ecological or resource management objectives and is used on remote fires that do not threaten properties or public safety.
Multiple fires were found in Dunster on Friday evening —two 0.009 hectare fires near Forcy Creek and one 0.009 hectare fire near Hailey Creek are still listed as out of control. Another fire, also located near Hailey Creek and estimated at 0.009 hectares has since been listed as under control.
A two hectare fire was discovered south of Dunster-Croyden Road at 8:13 p.m. The Goat reached out to the BCWS for more details on how it is responding to this incident, but did not hear back by time of publication.
For more information on wildfires in the Robson Valley Fire Zone, visit the BCWS website.
