There is one out of control wildfire in BC today, the Swede Creek wildfire, it was discovered on Monday June 1st, within an area previously affected by the Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic.
BC wildfire service stated that during the hottest part of the day on Monday the wildfire displayed Rank 5 fire behavior, meaning it was an extremely vigorous active crown fire with spotting in front of the head of the fire. It’s since calmed down slightly, but has been displaying sustained Rank 3 behavior with an organized flame front and a ‘moderately vigorous’ burn.
It has grown to 1,815 hectares as of 12:23pm today Wednesday June 3rd and it is 3.8km Southwest of Comstock Lake, about 100 kilometres southwest of Prince George, and due south of Vanderhoof.
The Cariboo Regional District has issued an evacuation alert for the Swede Creek Fire area, for 22 parcels and 180 square kilometres of land north of the fire front.
An alert is not a call to evacuate, but to be prepared in case an order is issued on short notice.
The wildfire is growing to the southwest, influenced by wind and consuming available dead and down slash in the area, which the wildfire service says is unseasonably dry due to a prolonged regional drought.
BC Wildfire service said that Ground crews are on site with heavy equipment have focused on building guards and tying into established control lines along the southern flank of the wildfire.
With water sources have been established, and crews continue to improve and extend hose lay along the southern flank.
With help from the fixed wing and rotary aircraft continue to drop water on the wildfire to decrease fire behavior and support ground operations.
BC Wildfire also said that as temperatures drop overnight, fire behavior will decrease and allow ground crews to work closer to the leading edge of the fire.
With also a night vision equipped helicopter will work overnight, supporting ground crews and dropping water to decrease fire behavior.
You can check out the EmergencyInfoBC for more details on how to prepare for the evacuation alert https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/event/wildfire-cariboo-rd-02jun26/
