Four wildfires continue to burn out of control in the Whistler and Pemberton area on Monday with crews battling the fires by air and on the ground.
BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) crews have been at the fires for days after more than a dozen fires were started during a lightning event on Aug. 5.
The largest of the fires is the Birkenhead Lake wildfire burning in heavy timber. It's currently mapped at 360 hectares.
On Monday, crews are working to establish objectives due to the rolling debris and steep slope that the fire is burning in.
A helicopter is responding to the wildfire along with an initial attack crew, two unit crews, six operational field staff and two tree fallers.
"Community members can expect to see smoke,” says a fire information officer.
Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park has been closed to the public since Aug. 8 due to the fire. The public is being asked to stay clear of the area and also the lake.
The Rutherford Creek wildlife is now estimated to be 56 hectares in size. This wildfire is the closest to a community, but still quite a distance away, about eight kilometres.
"Crews are working on containing the northeast sections of fire — this is a sustained action objective over the next few days,” says the fire information officer.
Three helicopters and seven air tankers are responding to this wildfire along with 21 firefighters and seven operational field staff.
The Rogers Creek 1 wildfire is 240 hectares in size and BCWS is actively monitoring the fire. The Birkenhead River 2 wildfire is estimated at 0.009 hectares and showed minimal growth overnight on Aug. 10.
As of Monday afternoon, the Ure Creek wildfire is being held at 329 hectares. The wildfire is very visible from Duffy Lake Road, Mount Currie and Lillooet Lake.
With guidance from Lil'wat Nation, it has been determined that this fire has ecological resiliency and biodiversity objectives, BCWS says.
"Fire is a natural, normal process for many ecosystems in B.C. and is necessary to maintain a healthy forest and the diversity of plant and animal life,” says the fire information officer.
The fire is projected to remain within the current perimeter or control line.
Lighting activity continues in parts of B.C., while warm and dry conditions are expected to persist. In the last seven days, there have been 265 new fire starts with 82 per cent of them being lightning caused.
Anyone who sees a wildfire is asked to contact BCWS immediately at 1-800-663-5555 or text *5555.
