Williams Lake fire now ‘being held’ after massive response
Posted July 23, 2024 11:07 am.
Last Updated July 23, 2024 11:13 am.
The wildfire that threatened industrial areas of the Cariboo City of Williams Lake is now ‘being held,’ the BC Wildfire Service said Tuesday.
The Valley Creek Wildfire was sparked on Sunday around 6:30 p.m. after a tree fell on a power line.
Just minutes later, the fire had raced up the east side of the valley, and made its way to an industrial area of town, partly damaging one auto-wrecker. Massive plumes of thick, black smoke could be seen rising into the air, as blocks of residents and businesses were placed on evacuation alert.
Some homes were also tactically evacuated to allow firefighters to respond to the menacing blaze.
A state of local emergency was declared just hours after the blaze erupted.
According to the BCWS, the fire did not grow beyond 40 hectares between Monday and Tuesday. The Wildfire Service had pummeled the fire with airplanes, ground crews, and structure protection specialists.
Footage from the city on Sunday and Monday showed plane after plane bombing water and fire retardant on both sides of the valley, as the winds changed the direction of the fire early Monday morning.
“Today, we continue to see minimal fire behaviour on the River Valley wildfire. Ground crews have completed a 20 foot wetline around the perimeter and will push deeper into the fire’s edge up to 50 feet and continue mopping up. Mop up is when ground crews look for remaining hot spots and then extinguish them with water or soil. Danger tree assessments and falling will continue as required to ensure there is a safe worksite for ground crews to work in the area. Aircraft will continue to be available to support, if required,” the BCWS said Tuesday.
“Residents are reminded the wildfire is an active worksite and are asked to stay away from the area to allow first responders to have space to conduct operations safely,” the service added.
The City of Williams Lake still has an evacuation alert in place for some residents along Mackenzie Avenue, Country Club Boulevard, Fairview Drive, Tolko’s Lakeview Mill, Woodland Drive, and all Westridge Drive properties.
