Where There's Smoke...

By Elaine Macdonald

The  smell of smoke, and visible haze drifting down the Nechako River valley are from  the "Chinlak" fire, which is burning at the confluence of the Stuart and Nechako Rivers about 12.5 kilometers north of Cluculz Lake.  Prince George Fire Center Fire Information Officer Faye Hirshfield says the fire was sparked by lightening and is burning  in the Lower Stuart Provincial Park. It currently covers 252 hectares. Although the  smoke and ash from that fire has been  pushed into the Prince George region by the  high winds, Hirshfield says there is, at this point, no need for concern.  "The fire is in a remote area,  and is being battled  by 54 firefighters, with more on the way from Prince  George" she adds "There are 5 pieces of heavy equipment on the ground, 4 choppers in the air and air tankers helping  battle the blaze". 

Hirshfield admits, there  is some beetle kill being consumed by this fire, but says at this point there is no  clear evidence that  beetle kill wood  burns faster, or hotter than a normal stand of trees. 

There  is another more serious blaze in the Vanderhoof region, it has been named the Tatuk Lake Fire Complex. Faye Hirshfield says it has been named a "complex" because it is actually five fires, which now cover about 10,000 hectares. "This  fire is visible from the Yellowhead highway in the Vanderhoof area" says Hirshfield, "But people should know it is in a remote area, and does not pose any threat to buildings or residents."  All five of those fires were started by lightening strikes. 

The fire hazard remains at high to extreme in the Prince George Forest District.

Since April 1st of this year, the Prince George Fire Center has responded to 118 forest fires, of which 65 were sparked by lightening.  That's about one third of 315 fires that have started  province wide this  year. Although the number seems high, Hirshfield says it's average.  What is the expectation for the balance of the forest fire season?  Hirshfield says "That's completely up to the weather, how  much precipitation we get, how many lightening strikes, completely up to the weather."

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