The Felker wildfire, south of Williams Lake, remains out of control as of Saturday, July 25.
According to a BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) report, the fire is still marked as 2,300 hectares in size with 44 firefighting personnel, aviation resources, heavy equipment and structure protection responding to the incident.
“Since the Felker fire was reported midday, July 23, BC Wildfire crews, local contract crews, heavy equipment operators, helicopter and fixed-wing pilots and local fire departments have been working around the clock,” Madison Dahl, fire information officer and communications lead for the Cariboo Fire Centre with the BCWS, said in a video statement on July 24.
Dahl said on July 23 that air tankers established retardant lines and skimmers worked throughout the day on July 23 and 24, dropping water and slowing the spread of the fire.
“Ground crews and heavy equipment worked overnight (on July 23) on the northern flank establishing a guard and today (July 24) they focused on the southeast flank.”
Dahl also explained that Enterprise Road and access roads are being used to safely relocate people and livestock away from the wildfire area.
“BC Wildfire crews rely on these routes to access strategic locations and respond effectively to the wildfire, she said.
“Non-essential use of these roads can delay critical operations and increase risks for both residents and emergency personnel.”
She urged residents and visitors to avoid active wildfire areas and keep the roads clear for evacuation, livestock relocation and emergency response activity.
“Your cooperation helps us keep communities and responders safe,” Dahl said. “Our priority is always the safety of the public and our responders.”
She noted that the wildfire is highly visible and a cause for concern to residents and travellers in the region, but assured that BCWS has crews and resources actively engaged on the incident and that additional resources have been requested.
“Our crews are using a coordinated ground and air response to establish containment lines, reduce fire behaviour and protect values at risk,” Dahl added.
“While the fire remains highly visible, visibility does not always indicate increased risk to communities.”
Dahl also urged residents and visitors to stay informed through official BC Wildfire Service sites, Emergency Info BC and all local government channels.
“We ask that the public stay informed through official sources and avoid the area wherever possible to allow responders to work safely and effectively,” she said.
There are currently two evacuation alerts and one evacuation order by the Cariboo Regional District in the area.
The agency said that the July 24 weather conditions were warm and dry throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre, with temperatures reaching between 26 to 28 degrees and relative humidity reaching 20 per cent.
Temperatures for July 25 are forecasted to fall below seasonal averages, between 24 to 26 degrees, with light to moderate southwesterly winds west of the Fraser and lighter southerly winds to the east.
“Isolated lightning is forecasted for the Horsefly area which is expected to come with precipitation,” BCWS said.
“A risk of dry lightning is forecasted for 100 Mile House, Quesnel and Williams Lake, while the Chilcotin region is expected to have minimal activity.”
BCWS said cooler temperatures are expected for Sunday, July 26, with a risk of lightning in the Quesnel area, with warmer and drier conditions returning Monday, July 27.
The agency added Highway 97 remains open and urged residents, visitors and motorists to monitor DriveBC for updates and changes.
The suspected cause of the fire is still currently under investigation.