Though it remains a wildfire of note, the Cameron Bluffs wildfire has been downgraded to “being held” from its previous classification of out of control.
Being held means the Cameron Bluffs fire is not expected to spread beyond the predetermined boundaries, according to BC Wildfire Service. A wildfire of note means it is highly visible or poses a potential threat to public safety.
Shaelee Stearns, information officer for the Cameron Bluffs Incident Management Team, says the rain on June 9 and cooler temperatures allowed crews to do “good work” on containment lines around the fire, which is why it was able to be moved to being held.
The fire was previously at 254 hectares, but officials say it’s now at 226 hectares.
“The size is now approximately 226 hectares in size. So the size did drop,” Stearns said Tuesday. “And that’s due to that more accurate mapping that we’re seeing.”
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BC Wildfire Service says the fire behaviour is decreased and displaying smouldering ground fire, which is classified as rank 1, with some open flame.
“A feature with this is in the area that we’re seeing, we’re still under prevailing drought conditions, so some of the trees where you see those like deeper root systems, and these older trees that may have rot inside of them, the innermost part of the tree is burning,” Stearns said.
“So it might not even look like the fire is still active to some people if you don’t see that smoke throughout the day. But there is fire still burning in the trees that are within the perimeter of this fire.”
BC Wildfire Service graphic showing the six ranks of wildfires.
Due to the steep terrain, BC Wildfire Service says there are some sections of the wildfire that is “unworkable” by firefighters.
There are 96 firefighters, four helicopters, an incident management team, and four pieces of heavy equipment responding to this fire.
Stearns says crews are monitoring the weather in the area, including the wind warning that was issued by Environment Canada.
“Our crews on the ground will monitor the weather throughout the day and how that weather may be affecting fire behaviour,” she said.
“We are aware of the wind that’s coming into the area and still with that change in status, you can see that under these prevailing and potential conditions that we might see that is the status that it’s changed to so it’s still unlikely to spread beyond that predetermined boundary.”
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Laura Brougham
