Huge progress on Gustafson Wildfire

The BC Wildfire Service says the number of fires in the province has slightly decreased, thanks to the cooler weather.

“There are 161 wildfires burning across the province, which includes 14 new fires; 13 of these fires were lightning-caused, and one was human-caused,” says Fire Information Officer Navi Saini.

She says the human-caused fire took place in the Cariboo Fire Centre, was no threat to any communities, and was quickly tended to.

.@BCGovFireInfo: Human-caused fire occurred in the #Cariboo Fire Centre, no threat to any communities; #LakeCountry fire under investigation

— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) July 22, 2017

Crews are working to extinguish hot spots on the Gustafson Wildfire west of 100 Mile House, which is now 90% contained.

“Firefighters continue to maintain the Gustafson fire perimeter. Focus is now on pushing the guard lines further into the fire perimeter to reinforce the guards,” noted the BC Wildfire Service website.

#EMBC: Impressed with progress, acknowledges 1st responders in -and-out of province for their hard work & effort during #BCWildfires

— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) July 22, 2017

The Gustafson fire size is now mapped at 5,700 hectares.

Since April 1st, there have been 730 wildfires in BC, burning nearly 362,000 hectares, with an estimated suppression cost of more than $122 million.

– with files from Rebecca Kelly, My Cariboo Now

.@BCGovFireInfo: #Gustafsen fire = 5,700 HA, 90% contained, mostly due to walls formed; #Wildwood complex fire is 13,200 HA, 0% contained

— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) July 22, 2017