Here is the latest update at 2:58pm today on the Wood Lake fire. See the attached pdf map that shows the area of restriction that is being implemented by the Wildfire branch.

 

The wildfire is still heading north and 0% containment. As you can feel outside the winds are still blowing north.

 

 

Wood Lake (formerly West Harrison FSR) (V10370)

Last updated: Tuesday, August 04, 2015 at 2:58 PM

Location: 20 kilometers north of the community of Harrison Hot Springs
• See approximate location of this wildfire on a

Mapquest map.
• View an interactive map of all active Wildfires of Note.

Discovered: Sunday, August 02, 2015

Size: 600.0 hectares (estimated)

Status: Active
• 0% contained
This fire was reported in the early afternoon of August 2, and is burning in a much used recreational forested area. No homes or structures are at risk from this fire, and the fire is currently spreading northward away from the community of Harrison Hot Springs. The fire experienced significant growth last evening due to high winds. Air tankers have been dropping water steadily during the afternoon and evening Sunday and Monday. There is heavy smoke in the area this morning.

Wind on August 2 fanned this fire, and blew sparks and embers ahead of the fire, which contributed to it's growth.

On the morning of Aug 3, heavy smoke in the area hampered personnel from seeing all of the fire perimeter. In the late afternoon, the fire experienced heavy wind, and the northwest corner of the fire became very active. The fire is now very estimated at 600 hectares in size, and is moving northward away from Harrison Hot Springs.

Interface: This is not an interface fire.

More information
The Sts'ailes Forest Service Road (formerly known as the West Harrison Lake FSR) on the west side of Harrison Lake has been blocked at the 0 kilometer marker. Travel southward past Tipella on the Sts'ailes FSR is not recommended.

An area restriction has been put in to limit access to this area. A map can be seen at the Fire of Note page for this fire, but encompasses the area north of the Hemlock Valley FSR to Westwood Bay, and inland from the lake to the eastern shore of Chehalis Lake and the Chehalis and Eagle creeks. This closure does not affect the Hemlock Valley Ski Resort area.

This area closure affects the follow camping areas: Wood Lake, 20 Mile Bay, Hale Creek.

Cause: Human

This fire is suspected to be human caused, and preventable. The area has an extreme fire danger rating.

Resources
• 135 firefighters
• 9 helicopters
• 2 heavy equipment
Fixed wing air tanker groups dropped retardant, and one air tanker dropped water throughout the afternoon of Aug 2. to slow its growth and lower fire behaviour. Air tanker continued to drop water afternoon and evening Sunday and Monday

Map & Photos: See the 8 files for this fire.

Links for more information about fires in general

·         EmergencyInfoBC Online source for emergency alerts about natural disasters and provider of public education and preparedness information.

·         DriveBC Road conditions and closures

·         BC Air Quality The Air Quality Health Index is a health protection tool that is designed to help you make decisions to protect your health by limiting short-term exposure to air pollution and adjusting your activity levels during increased levels of air pollution.

·         Interior Health During a forest fire, be aware of health risks associated with exposure to smoke, food safety in power outages, and water quality.