Monashee Complex Fire Recap as of Noon Saturday

Aug 18, 2018 | 12:31 PM

The Monashee Complex started at 27 fires and now covers 15 fires in the drainages of Mabel and Sugar lakes from just south of Hwy 6 in the south to Three Valley Gap in the north.

The IMT currently managing the Monashee Complex is prioritizing three Fires of Note: Mabel Creek Sugar Mountain and Harris Creek These fires are in full response sustained action.

The remainder of the fires burning in the Monashee Complex are either full response monitor-only fires or as full response – modified fires.

Priority fires are assessed and evaluated based on their potential threat first to lives and safety, second to property and third to values like critical infrastructure and industry interests.

Today is the Ontario IMT’s first full day managing this complex. Yesterday the area within the complex experienced three new fire starts. The IMT responded to the other as part of the Monashee Complex: Woodward Creek.

1.5 Hectare Blaze

Crews battling wildfire near Cherryville

2h ago

Too Hot for Dogs

Don't leave pets alone in hot vehicles: RCMP

3h ago

Smoky Skies

Air quality warning issued for the Okanagan

5h ago

The IMT responded with air support last night and is further actioning today. An action plan to move ground resources to this incident if required is being considered. The fire is currently 5 hectares.

If there are new starts today, the IMT will collaborate with the Vernon Zone on resourcing options.

As far as the weather is concerned…we are still experiencing a bit of an unstable air mass, which produces a risk of a late day thunderstorm. It is unlikely that the smoke will clear today. Winds SW 10 to 20 km/h for the afternoon.

Risk of brief higher gusts near possible late day thunderstorm. Temperature highs in the low 20 degrees Celsius and a little higher in alpine areas.

Fire behavior prediction…The slow uptrend in the weather will lead to an increase in fire behaviour, evidenced by the increased number of fires
starts and witnessed fire behaviour in previously quiet areas.

Possibility of increased starts today and potential for active fire behaviour as smoke lifts.

Challenges…Danger trees are a hazard throughout this complex. Many of the fires are burning in high elevation with steep and rocky terrain.

Anticipated challenges…possible new fire starts emerging from holdover lightning strikes, the potential for higher fire behaviour this week and the potential for fire growth.

Yesterday there was a successful transition from the Parks Canada IMT To the Ontario IMT.

Today’s objectives….Today’s crew objectives are to continue with strengthening containment lines, building guard and laying hose.

The IMT is prioritizing fire analysis today. The team’s Fire Behaviour Analyst will be getting accurate sizes of the priority fires and performing assessments and projections.

The FBAN will be assessing overnight growth and developing operational objectives for the priority fires.

There is an Area Restriction Order along the northeast side of Mabel Lake and a closure along the Mabel Lake FSR to all recreation traffic from Km 10 (north the Mabel Lake Provincial Park) to Km 59 (at the junction of Highway 1) and all recreation sites along that road.

There is an Area Restriction Order on northeast side of Sugar Lake, the Sugar Creek recreation site on the North-East corner of Sugar lake, and the Kate Creek FSR access road.

For a detailed overview of the Monashee Complex please refer to the following document:

Monashee Complex Information Overview

by Duane Grandbois