Some Gains Some Losses in Fire Fight

By 250 News

Kamloops, B.C. - The weekend saw forest fire fighters make some progress and suffer some setbacks as they continue to battle the flames raging in several fires in the province.

Terrace Mountain: A three hundred hectare burn off was completed by noon Sunday on the northern slope of Terrace Mountain. It was a dramatic scene as a helitorch-equipped helicopter ignited the forested area between Terrace Mountain and Short’s Creek. The northern flank of the fire now follows along the banks of Short’s Creek and the risk of the fire spreading northward is significantly reduced.

There remains a Restricted Area Order in place for the area bounded by Whiteman Creek Forest Service Road and Bear Creek Forest Service Road.

With the burn off operation, the Terrace Mountain Fire is now estimated at over 9,000 hectares in size and is listed as 40 percent contained. Supporting the 422 firefighters are 17 helicopters, 96 pieces of heavy equipment, and 185 overhead personnel.

Mount McLean: The fire near the town of Lillooet remains at 50 percent contained. Firefighters worked all weekend mopping up along the east perimeter with support of helicopter bucketing on hot spots.

Rapattack crews rappelled down onto the steep slopes of the west flank and built helipads to allow access for ground crews to directly attack the fire.

Ten pieces of heavy equipment, 67 firefighters, 80 support personnel and 11 helicopters were on the fire Sunday . Twelve structural protection units from the Office of the Fire Commissioner will be maintained at Seton Portage.

Brookmere : The fire continues to hold at an estimated 2800 hectares as crews prepare for a change in weather. The fire had spread on Saturday, whipped up by strong winds

Kluskus Lakes:  Fire  spread on the weekend , flames were fanned by high winds.

Galena Bay: 24 Ontario suppression personnel joined BC. crews on the Galena Bay Fire Sunday.   The addition of the Ontario crews brings the total number of firefighters to 58. Fire crews are working alongside the five helicopters and 18 pieces of heavy equipment to continue extending the existing fireguard around the fire.  The fire is now 40% contained and has been mapped at 1819 hectares in size.

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