By Spencer Hall
The West Canoe Wildfire is now estimated at 27 hectares, instead of the 38 hectares BC Wildfire Service personnel previously calculated on Sunday.
Fire Information Officer with BCWS Emelie Peacock said the reduction in size is due to “more accurate” mapping of the fire.
Peacock told The Goat that on Monday morning the fire was exhibiting rank one and rank two fire behaviour.
“These are the lowest fire ranks. What this looks like on the ground is smouldering ground fire and/or low vigour surface fire,” she said.
She added that Saturday was a challenging day for fire crews due to winds blowing at about 30 kilometres per hour. Crews had more luck battling the fire on Sunday due to the rain and lighter winds.
On Monday, Peacock said crews are focusing on building containment lines and directly attacking the fire in the mature cedar stand area of the blaze, located along the top edge.
“This work will take time. The fire is burning in a cutblock and a mature cedar stand, with the rain we are seeing and with this fuel type, slow growth is likely in the cedar stand area,” she said.
However, with rain expected within the coming days, she said BCWS does not anticipate any substantial fire growth.
Peacock added there is no immediate threat to the village of Valemount due to slower winds and the forecasted rain.
“However, the fire is highly visible from the village and from areas where people recreate around the north end of Kinbasket Lake. There may be periods of smoke into the village, this will likely reduce over the next week,” she said.
BCWS crews continue to battle the blaze. As of Monday, there are three initial attack crews and one contract crew working on the fire, with a second contract crew incoming. Ground crews are being supported by a bucket helicopter and one piece of heavy equipment helping to build a fire guard.
The wildfire is suspected to have been caused by humans. Members of the BCWS Fire Origin and Cause Team and the Compliance and Enforcement Branch are on site conducting an investigation
