The last few days have seen increased fire activity in the afternoons on the Alkali Lake fire near Telegraph Creek due to increasing and gusty winds. Overall the fire size has not significantly increased (currently 36,380 hectares) but there is activity on some flanks and in pockets of unburnt vegetation within the fire-ground. Back-burning activities are being undertaken when conditions are suitable, and crews are working hard to create fireguards around communities and infrastructure.
Information Officers stationed at the Dease Lake fire base shared the latest news and fire updates from the BC Wildfire Service yesterday at the Dease Lake Community Hall.
Structures in the Telegraph Creek area have been impacted by this fire.
Crews and air support are working to minimize further impact to the communities of Telegraph Creek and Glenora. Crews are also working to protect culturally significant sites and infrastructure. Danger tree assessment and falling is underway in Telegraph Creek and along the Highway 51 corridor.
Hazard assessment and mop up are ongoing in Telegraph Creek. Guards have been established around communities and infrastructure. When conditions allow, burn operations are being used to increase containment, remove pockets of fuel and create fireguard. BC Hydro crews have been working to clear up damaged line and replace poles. Structure protection specialists continue to install equipment on properties in the area and are relocating equipment from some areas where it is no longer required to new locations.
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure have been assessing the Telegraph Creek road and will begin work on repairs. Structure protection is being established on additional structures on the south side of Stikine as well as the east side. The wind will again be from the southwest meaning smoke will be persistent in the Telegraph Creek, Dease Lake and Iskut areas. These winds will increase in the afternoon to 20-30km/hr gusting to 40km/hr which could increase fire activity.
An evacuation order and alert has been issued by the Kitimat Stikine Regional District and includes Telegraph Creek, Glenora and the area along the Highway 51 corridor to the edge of Dease Lake. There are no evacuation orders or alerts for the community of Dease Lake at this time.
Australian and New Zealand Incident Management and fire fighting personnel are assisting the Canadian crews in the management of this incident.
A total of 167 personnel including a night shift are working on and in support of this fire. Today, 21 pieces of heavy equipment, including four water tenders, as well as 11 helicopters are supporting firefighting efforts. An Incident Management Team is stationed at Dease Lake. The B.C. Wildfire Service is working closely with the Tahltan First Nation and several community members are engaged in fire suppression activities.
