The upcoming forecast has fire crews in the VanJam Fire Zone anticipating new fire starts.
“We still have some forecast lightning over the next day or so, so still anticipating some new starts,” said Fire Information Officer Forrest Tower.
“With the amount of lightning that came through here, if we do have any significant wind event in the next week or so, expecting that we’re going to pick up some more holdover fires.”
Tower said south of Vanderhoof is where most of new fire starts have happened.
He added the Tsah Creek Wildfire, which is 24 kilometres south of Fort St. James is still around 393 hectares.
“It is burning right adjacent to the highway at this time, it’s about 200 metres at it’s closest point to Highway 27,” he said.
“It’s kind of a long, skinny fire, and not a lot of fire is close or adjacent to the highway, and so we’ve had air tankers and heavy equipment and personnel on it.”
Tower said there is potential for the highway to be closed due to the fire, but they’re not anticipating a long-term impact.
He added the wildfire service is working on coordinating a response to the Gatcho Lake Wildfire.
On Sunday, the Cariboo Regional District issued an evacuation order in the area.
The Cariboo Regional District has issued an Evacuation ORDER for the Townsend Creek Area. People in this area must leave immediately. #RCMP expediting this action.
Interactive map: https://t.co/cgmxp9ixjB#CaribooFires #BCWildfire @BCFireInfo pic.twitter.com/6WVPULPtYI
— CRD (@CaribooRD) July 9, 2023
Additionally, the Finger Lake wildfire is an estimated 270 hectares, while the Tatin Creek Wildfire has been listed as ‘being held’.
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