Prince George, B.C. – The weather forecast   is difficult to nail down,  but  there is a wind event  expected tomorrow “That  could really whip up fire behaviour” says Kevin Skrepnek, Chief Information officer with Wildfire Service BC.Skrepnek says   a cold  front is expected to move into  B.C. tomorrow afternoon.    Some areas in the interior can expect winds of 20 kms per hour gusting to 40 kms per hour.  Through the Fraser Canyon, Skrepnek says  the wind gusts could  be as high as 70kms per hour.  “We have to suspect that this is going to be  a very fluid situation.”

There are now 167  fires burning in B.C.,  21 new fires reported  yesterday.

Earlier today, the Federal Government announced an ad hoc committee.  The Ad Hoc Cabinet Committee on Federal Recovery Efforts for 2017 BC Wildfires will advise the Federal Government  on the federal  role in mitigation, recovery, and rebuilding efforts in response to the wildfires. The Committee will complement the on-the-ground efforts coordinated by the Government Operations Centre.

“Our thoughts are with all British Columbians dealing with the devastating impacts of these wildfires” says Prime Minister Trudeau, “Our new Cabinet committee will work hard to address both the immediate and long-term needs of all the families, communities and businesses affected.

Here  is the latest  wildfire situation:

Prince George Fire Centre:

• Grizzly Lake:  100% contained and under control,  evacuation alert  rescinded
• Sutherland Road:1,590 hectares, 80% contained
• Big Bend Creek: 2,062 hectares

Cariboo Fire Centre:

• Green Mountain:- 1,500 hectares, 60% contained
• Alexandria: 120 hectares This fire is “being held”, which means that with the current allocated resources on the incident, sufficient suppression has been taken so that the fire is not likely to spread beyond control lines under current and forecast conditions.
• Ashcroft:  11,500 hectares
• 150 Mile House 1,600 hectares 50% contained
• Gustafsen:  5,000 hectares 20% contained
• Hanceville ( Chilcotin)  40,000 hectares
• Wildwood:  2500 hectares, 40% contained