B.C. Wildfire Service crews taking advantage of reprieve in weather conditions on Boston Bar-area fires

BC Wildfire Service firefighters fighting a pair of large wildfires near Boston Bar are taking advantage of a slight reprieve in conditions on Sunday.

B.C. Wildfire Service crews taking advantage of reprieve in weather conditions on Boston Bar-area fires Slight reprieve for fire crews UPDATE: 1:25 p.m. BC Wildfire Service firefighters battling a pair of large wildfires near Boston Bar are taking advantage of a slight reprieve in conditions on Sunday. The Brunswick Complex is made up of the Brunswick Creek and Ainslie Creek wildfires, which are burning out of control at 3,012 and 15,847 hectares in size respectively on either side of the Fraser Canyon. BCWS fire information officer Julia Caranci said slightly lower temperatures, more cloud cover, slightly higher relative humidity, and around one to three millimetres of rain in the Boston Bar area Saturday night have allowed for a two-day reprieve for firefighter crews.

“We are taking full advantage of this short little break that we’re getting to move forward with our operations on both those fires,” Caranci said. “That little bit of rain last night has lowered our fire behaviour intensity a little bit so that we can get in with our crews closer to fire's edge in some places where maybe we weren't able to before.” On the Brunswick wildfire, crews are conducting direct attack operations on the southeast corner of the fire, above North Bend and Boston Bar.

Firefighting crews are working on the east flank to protect structures, critical infrastructure and cultural values. Caranci said mop-up and patrol operations are being carried out too. On the Ainslie Creek fire, Caranci said crews are focusing their efforts along the Highway 1 corridor, which was reopened to motorists on Saturday with a reduced speed limit.

“Lots of crews working on mop up and patrol in and around those communities structures, and of course ensuring that things are safe for that highway to remain open,” she said. BCWS said yesterday crews were conducting direct attack on the northeast of the blaze. The wildfire service said the flank of the fire that’s grown into the Thompson-Nicola regional district is in steep, unworkable terrain, and heavy equipment and a line locator were establishing contingency lines.

Caranci said there have been reports of drivers speeding on Highway 1 or pulling over to take photos of the fire. “We would really, really appreciate it if folks obey the reduced speed signs that are along that stretch of Highway 1, and that's for their safety and the safety of our responders and our heavy equipment crews and our aviation resources, all of our operations,” she said. She said there are still hazards, such as danger trees, along the corridor, and the potential for debris to fall on the highway.

BCWS also confirmed sightings of a drone operating near the southeast flank of the Brunswick Creek wildfire, which temporarily suspended air operations. Caranci said the drone landed and operations were able to resume “fairly quickly.” She said BCWS wants to remind residents there are severe penalties for flying a drone in an active wildfire operation.

Violations can result in fines of up to $25,000 and up to 18 months in prison. “To have those operations halted because of a drone could be a very detrimental thing for our operations, aside from being a potentially very serious safety concern,” she said. Numerous evacuation orders and alerts from the Fraser Valley Regional District, TNRD and area First Nations remain in effect.

ORIGINAL: 6:30 a.m. The BC Wildfire Service is issuing a call for compliance, as two out-of-control wildfires continue to burn in the Fraser Canyon. An overnight statement from the agency says that since Highway 1 reopened yesterday, between Boston Bar and Jackass Summit, drivers have been seen speeding through the fire zone and even stopping to film the ongoing firefighting efforts.

It also confirmed sightings of a drone operating near the southeast flank of the Brunswick Creek wildfire, while emergency air crews were fighting the blaze. Due to the potential danger, airtanker and helicopter activity was temporarily suspended, putting both responders and the public at greater risk. The public is reminded that wildfires are automatically considered flight-restricted areas, and violations can result in fines of up to $25,000 and up to 18 months in prison.

As for the highway, the Wildfire Service reiterates that the speed limit is 60 km/h, and there is no stopping in the fire zone. - The Canadian Press More Kamloops News - Slight reprieve for fire crewsBoston Bar - 1:25 pm - Police seek missing manMerritt - 1:02 pm - Fear, grief after shootingToronto - 12:35 pm - Crews fight 115-hectare fireKimberley - 12:11 pm - ER closing Sunday nightOliver - 12:08 pm