John Singarti took this photo about three kilometres from his home of the fire burning east of Tête Jaune.
Update May 30: More than 90 firefighters remain at the scene of a wildfire near Tete Jaune, but the 574-hectare blaze is now 80 per cent contained.
Update May 27: Two helicopters and more than 90 firefighters are now on scene beating back the wildfire east of Tete Jaune.
The size estimate of 574 hectares hasn't changed from two days ago but the "incident took substantial precipitation on Tuesday night that has currently reduced any significant fire behaviour."
BC Wildfire crews are making good progress on the fire creating hand guard and fuel free areas between the fire line and adjacent fuels on the south, east, and west flank, according to a press release.
Drivers are asked to be cautious and check drivebc.ca for conditions.
Update May 26: Better visibility allowed BC Wildfire Service to get a helicopter in the air and reassess the size of a wildfire east of Tete Jaune, which they now say is 574 hectares in size.
"The fire is currently being held," according to a report posted online.
In layman's terms that means that the fire is not likely to spread beyond its existing or predetermined boundaries under the current and forecasted conditions.
The fire was first reported on May 23 and quickly grew from 15 hectares to approximately 200 hecatres overnight, however substantial precipitation on Tuesday night reduced the fire's behaviour.
BC Wildfire Service initially sent 26 firefighters and two officers to the scene before doubling the man power to 54. As of May 26 there were now 91 firefighters on scene making good progress on the fire and continuing to create hand guard and fuel free areas between the fire line and adjacent fuels on the south, east, and west flanks.
Officials believe the fire started from a tree falling on to a power line near Rearguard Falls, located approximately 5 km from Tete Jaune Cache.
The public is advised to be cautious due to smoke in the valley and to check http://www.drivebc.ca/ for road conditions.
Update May 24 4:11 p.m.: Another 28 firefighters have been dispatched to combat the 200-hectare blaze east of Tete Jaune.
According to information published early Wednesday afternoon the fire is zero per cent contained. Two officers and 26 firefighters are already on scene.
Strong winds whipped what started as a 15-hectare fire triggered by a tree-power line interaction on May 23 to more than 200 hectares yesterday. Substantial precipitation since has reduced any significant fire behaviour.
Crews contained two spot fires south of Highway 16, and are currently working upslope to create hand guards.
Original post: A wildfire burning out of control east of Tête Jaune is now 200 hectares in size after strong winds overnight helped fan the fire.
According to B.C. Wildfire Service, 26 firefighters and two officers have been deployed to try and contain the blaze.
Overnight precipitation has helped reduce fire behaviour, however due to aggressive winds the fire was able to grow from 15 hectares in size to 200 hectares. A more accurate size will be made public once visibility in the valley improves.
According to the Rocky Mountain Goat, fire crews believe the fire was started by a tree falling on a hydro line near the Rearguard Falls turn-off. The power is out in Tête Jaune and Valemount.
John Singarti said it was hard to tell how large the fire was when he drove by it around 6 p.m. on May 23 when the fire started because of the wind and rain.
He said the smell of smoke was quite prevalent and the wind was fanning the fire, which had worked its way up the north side of Highway 16.
B.C. Wildfire Service is advising the pubic to be cautious due to smoke in the valley and to check www.drivebc.ca for road conditions.
Stay tuned for updates.
Paul Clarke
[email protected]
