File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)
Wildfire

Two small fires pop up near Logan Lake; wildfire officials brace for impact of hot weather

Aug 16, 2022 | 3:02 PM

LOGAN LAKE, B.C. — B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) personnel are attacking a pair of new wildfires near Logan Lake, as they prepare for the potential for more holdover fires popping up in the coming days.

The Antler Lake and LeRoy Lake fires both emerged Monday (Aug. 15) just south of the community.

Fire Information Officer Taylor Colman says both fires are listed at one hectare and don’t show much sign of spreading larger.

“We did have air tankers, helicopters and ground crews respond,” Colman told CFJC Today. “There were 19 personnel as well as a wildfire officer who responded by ground. The firefighters were split up between the two incidents to get a hold on those.”

“The air tankers have boxed the fires in with retardant to slow the rate of spread and try to keep them within a contained area. The firefighters were able to follow in after that and take direct suppress action on them.”

With hot and dry conditions forecast for the next few days, Colman says there is a good chance more fires sparked by last week’s thunderstorm activity could show themselves.

“Also with the increased temperatures, there is a risk of increased fire activity,” she said.” Rapid drying of fuels can increase the rate of spread on wildfires. As well, that can flare up into the upper layers of vegetation — so, branches of trees and things like that. Flame lengths get a little bit longer and move more quickly.”

Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for several regions in the Southern Interior, with a storm system expected to move in Friday.