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July 17: Gustafsen fire 35 per cent contained

Searching for hot spots overnight
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The fire remains at 25 per cent contained and 5,700 hectares according to Fire Information Officer for the Gustafsen fire, Heather Rice. Justine Lafreniere photo

8:45 p.m.update: The Gustafsen fire is now 35 per cent contained according to the BC Wildfire Service.

“That’s just better security along the lines they’re having really good success with wetting down the lines and pushing the guards in more than 100 feet,” says Fire Information Officer Heather Rice.

“They are going to be flying the fire tonight with an infrared camera and that’s to help them pick up any little hot spots that might not be visible along the guard line so that they can make sure they can focus their efforts on those hot spots over the next couple of days.”

There may still be some controlled burns to remove fuels from within the perimeter, says Rice.

The planning for an eventual return to 100 Mile may be in part because of the progress on the fire as well as the weather forecast, with no severe winds and some rain predicted which won’t put the fire out but will help in mopping it up, says Rice.

“As long as the weather doesn’t produce any more severe winds or unpredictable lightning strikes we are feeling quite optimistic now with the fire.”

Original story: “Today we’re expecting to just continue what we’re now doing. We’re pushing all the guard lines at least 100 feet to help enhance those guidelines and just focusing on maintaining the integrity of all of those guidelines to maintain the fire perimeter,” says Fire Information Officer Heather Rice.

There are 293 firefighters, 13 helicopters, 11 heavy equipment pieces and 22 support staff working on the fire, including 16 structural fire department resources.

She says the fire remains 25 per cent contained and 5,700 hectares.

Related: Ashcroft Reserve fire an “extremely high priority for the province”

Related: Updated: Where to find food and supplies in the South Cariboo

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July 15 fire perimeter map.