Quesnel’s fire chief says six fire departments, the BC Wildfire Service and personnel from West Fraser Mills are working together to fight a blaze that started inside city limits early in the morning of Saturday, Aug. 23.
Ron Richert of the Quesnel Fire Department said the 500-square-foot blaze started around 4 a.m. at BC Eco Chips’ yard on Pinecrest Road.
He said about 45 firefighters from Quesnel, Barlow Creek, 10 Mile Lake, Bouchie Lake, West Fraser and Kersley were on scene along with the wildfire service and mills personnel.
“We have it contained to the original log pile,” Richert said during a phone interview around 2:30 p.m. “We’re just monitoring the perimeter, protecting infrastructure, some buildings and just cooling down some of the spot fires that are in and around the area.
No evacuations have been ordered because of the fire.
Richert said residents are requested to stay away from Pinecrest Road and another unnamed road that leads into the mill site.
Just before 7 a.m., the City of Quesnel posted to its Facebook page to advise residents that its fire department “and many other local fire departments and agencies are on science at the fire in Two Mile.”
“The fire is contained and being closely monitored. There are no required evacuations at this time.”
As of 1:45 p.m., BC Wildfire Service’s website stated that the fire was 0.6 hectares in size and was being held, meaning it is expected to remain within its current perimeter under current weather conditions and available resources.
At that time, the suspected cause was listed as human activity.
Madison Dahl, an information officer for the Cariboo Fire Centre, told The Citizen by phone that the Quesnel Volunteer Fire Department is talking the lead and the BC Wildfire Service is supporting the operation.
That involves providing some personnel and access to helicopters.
“It is their fire, so they are leading it and we are supporting and ensuring that it doesn’t spread,” she said.
