A look at the August 30 prescribed burn at the White Rock Lake Fire, seen from Highway 97, east of Falkland.
The BC Wildfire Service says it has finished a planned burn at the White Rock Lake Fire yesterday evening, but notes the area will continue to burn and produce smoke over the next several days.
In an update Monday night, it says yesterday’s work brought the fire down to established control lines in key areas on the northeast of the fire, reducing the risk of growth and further damage to structures.
“These ignitions…allow BC Wildfire to recommend to local authorities that their Evacuation Orders and Alerts may be downgraded much sooner,” an update posted to twitter said. “Containment may now be achieved in the next seven to 10 days versus upwards of six weeks.”
Ground crews and aerial resources will remain on-site to patrol containment lines at the site of the fire.
“Significant groundwork and planning occurred over the past two weeks in order to conduct a successful planned ignition,” the statement added. “The Thunderbirds Unit Crew, Rangers Unit Crew and RAP India worked tirelessly to build a large fuel-free area to support ignitions [Monday].”
Operations Chief Andre Chalabi said yesterday that without these planned burns, the 813 square kilometre White Rock Lake Fire had the potential to impact Highway 97 and the surrounding areas, if it spread into areas with lots of fuel.
“Our objective is just to stop fire from growing and spreading in weather and wind events,” he said.
UPDATE: The planned ignitions on the White Rock Lake fire (K61884) are complete for the evening. The area where ignitions occurred will continue to burn and produce smoke over the next several days. Crews and aerial resources will remain on site to patrol. #BCWildfire #VernonBC
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) August 31, 2021
Significant groundwork & planning occurred over the past two weeks in order to conduct a successful planned ignition. The Thunderbirds Unit Crew, Rangers Unit Crew and RAP India (pictured) worked tirelessly to build a large fuel-free area to support ignitions today. #BCWildfire pic.twitter.com/0Gnku7SX85
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) August 31, 2021
A look at #BCHwy97 east of #FalklandBC this afternoon, around 2:30 PM today. @BCGovFireInfo said it was doing a 3,000 hectare prescribed burn this afternoon on the northeast section of the fire. #Kamloops #bcwildfires pic.twitter.com/R9SCdXZ19d
— Victor Mario Kaisar (@supermario_47) August 30, 2021
