Operational update for the Battleship Mountain wildfire (G72150) September 5, 2022 from BC Wildfire Service on Vimeo.
B.C. wildfire officials reported minimal growth on the Battleship Mountain fire on Monday.
The fire, discovered a week ago on Aug. 30, is still listed as out of control at 11,949 hectares and will be doused by helicopter bucketing operations today.
Crews are beginning to construct a fuel-free guard from Carbon Lake to the south and southwest of the fire, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
“Yesterday, forecasted winds today did not challenge crews as we had anticipated, and there was minimal fire growth observed today,” the BC Wildfire Service said in an update. “This gave crews an opportunity to make good progress on their objectives today.”
Forty-eight firefighters and 15 pieces of heavy equipment are assigned to the fire.
Another 16 helicopters are being shared among fires comprising the Battleship Complex, which include fires at Bearhole Lake, Hasler Flats, Moberly River, and Crassier Creek.
The wildfire services say winds in the Battleship Mountain area are expected to somewhat weaken today, though will still remain light to moderate.
The agency says access is also being repaired along the Burns forestry road to give heavy equipment operators access to the southwest flank of the fire.
A contingency guard will be established from the centre of the Johnson forestry road east towards Williston Lake, the agency says.
Structure protection is being maintained daily for a number of cabins in the area, while personnel are assessing requirements for other structures in the area, including the W.A.C. Bennett dam.
"Structure protection personnel are working diligently and are developing a response plan for the WAC Bennett Dam and continue maintenance of established structure protection apparatus in the Carbon Lake area,” the wildfire service said.
“Additional areas are being assessed by structure protection personnel as needed.”
Residents in Hudson's Hope remain on evacuation alert, which has delayed the start of classes at the local elementary-secondary school until next week.
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