Nearly two dozen properties remain under an evacuation alert Wednesday as a massive wildfire burning out of control in the British Columbia Interior continues to grow.
The Cariboo Regional District issued the alert for 22 parcels of land near the Swede Creek wildfire, which the district says poses “potential danger to life and health.”
The alert urges residents inside the 18,000-hectare fire warning zone to prepare to flee the area on short notice.
People in the evacuation alert area are advised to keep their personal vehicles fully fueled and prepare grab-and-go bags with essential items for a rapid departure if the alert turns into an evacuation order.
Fire continues to grow
The wildfire near Comstock Lake, southwest of Prince George, measures approximately 1,815 hectares, or just over 18 square kilometres, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service.
The agency has charted the fire’s growth from 150 hectares on Monday to 800 hectares on Tuesday morning and 1,300 by the afternoon.
The wildfire service says 106 firefighters are responding to the blaze, alongside 11 pieces of heavy machinery and several aircraft that have been bucketing the blaze with water and fire retardant since it was discovered.
“The Swede Creek wildfire received minimal precipitation overnight, however, a significant amount of sustained precipitation would be required significantly impact fire behaviour,” the wildfire service said in an update on its response Wednesday.
“Overnight, night vision equipped helicopters dropped water on the wildfire, cooling the fire and decreasing fire behaviour,” the update said. “Fixed-wing and rotary aircraft continue to drop water on the wildfire to decrease fire behaviour and support ground operations.”
Fire worsened by drought, pine beetle
The fire continues to burn with a moderately vigorous and organized flame front as crews have been igniting tinder along its eastern flank in an effort to deprive the wildfire of fuel.
“The fire did not grow significantly overnight due to successful operations from ground crews and heavy equipment,” the wildfire service said.
While some light precipitation is in the forecast for the Cariboo region, the wildfire service says the overcast weather will also increase the chances of lightning activity, potentially intensifying the fire risk.
Dry spring weather and extended drought conditions, coupled with the historic mountain pine beetle infestation, have left layers of dry, unburned fuel on the forest floor throughout the region.
The wildfire service says the downed trees and limbs are “preventing retardant and water from reaching the forest floor and reducing the efficiency of aviation resources.”
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
There were 17 active wildfires burning in B.C. on Wednesday afternoon, including six sparked within the last day, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service.
