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Williams Lake firefighters called to offensive line

Slow and steady but effective work continues on the wildfires burning in the Central Cariboo.

That’s how Fire Information Officer Melinda Paplawski describes what’s happening with the White Lake and Wildwood fires that are the two largest near the City of Williams Lake.

Paplawski says while the rain yesterday certainly wasn’t enough to help them reduce the size of those fires, it does allow them to be on the offensive, rather than the defensive.

“We at least get a break from dealing with a lot of active fires so it allows everyone to spend more time working on those perimeters and securing some things that they don’t have time to get to when they have to deal with a lot of hot spotting and active flames.”

Paplawski says the White Lake fire remains about seven kilometres Northwest of Williams Lake.

“Yesterday was just an opportunity to get a little more work done than we would have otherwise. They are going to continue to keep an eye on the houses and infrastructure out there. They have a structure protection unit out there and they do have a plan for some structure protection.”

She says they made a little progress on the Wildwood fire which is more than 13,000 hectares in size.

”They were working on utility lines with BC Hydro and other infrastructure as well and trying to keep roads open.”

Paplawski says the work on these fires will very likely continue into the fall.

“Even if the weather cooperated with an extended period of rain there is still clean up and hot spots that have to be taken care of. Once the fires get to be this size and to this complexity, it is going to be a long haul.”

Paplawski also reports slow but steady progress on the Soda Creek and Spokin Lake wildfires.

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Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].

Brendan Pawliw
Brendan Pawliw
Since moving to Prince George in 2015, Brendan has covered local sports including the WHL’s Prince George Cougars, Prince George Spruce Kings, UNBC Timberwolves, Cariboo Cougars AAA, and Northern Capitals U18 female hockey teams. Career highlights include play-by-play during the Spruce Kings' BCHL championship runs in 2018 and 2019, including the Doyle Cup win. He also covered the 2019 National Junior A Championship, the 2017 Telus Cup, the 2022 World Women’s Curling Championship, and the 2022 BC Summer Games. Brendan is the news voice on 94.3 The Goat and Country 97 FM, reporting on crime, real estate, labour, and environmental issues. Outside of work, he officiates box lacrosse and fastball, sits on the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame board, and co-hosts the Hockey North podcast.

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