A fuel-free guard has been established around the Martin Lake wildfire in the West Chilcotin as of Saturday, June 21.
In its Saturday morning, June 21, update BC Wildfire Service said one of its main objectives in recent days has been to anchor from the south end of the fire and establish machine guards where access is safest and work progressively on the flanks of the fire towards the head.
Ground crews are focused on finding and extinguishing hot spots and conducting mop up along northwest and southeastern flank of the fire. Water delivery systems continue to be established. They continue to be supported by aviation and heavy equipment.
The fire is an estimated 2,238 hectares in size with the suspected cause being lightning.
The fire received rain on Friday, June 20, and with a shift in weather patterns, fire suppression efforts are transitioning to more direct tactics.
Crews and heavy equipment are taking advantage of the cooler, wetter conditions to engage the fire edge more aggressively, reinforcing containment lines and targeting hotspots to prevent further spread.
The evacuation alert implemented by the Cariboo Regional District for the area on Monday, June 16, remains in place and there continues to be no impacts to Highway 20 although smoke may be visible.
Environment Canada lists the Saturday afternoon temperature as a high of 22 C with a mix of sun and cloud with a few showers in southern sections. There is a risk of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and again early in the evening.
Sunday has a risk of a thunderstorm in the afternoon with highs of 24 C.
