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Smoke between Gateway and 100 Mile House

(UPDATE: April 23, 10:10 a.m.) 100 Mile Fire Rescue at the scene until 7 p.m.
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Smoke as seen from Canim Hendrix Lake Road. Max Winkelman photos.

April 24, 10:10 a.m. update:

100 Mile House Fire Rescue attended a wildfire that burned for roughly 10-acres until 7 p.m. on April 23.

“Approximately at 12:20 p.m. on April 23, we received a call for a wildfire up at the Sundman Road area,” said Hollander. “The fire was caused by a couple of slash piles that were being burned by the property owner and were out of control and led to the rest of the property.”

The department responded to the call with 13 members and five apparatuses. The BC Wildfire Service also attended, sending one unit with five members.

“The scene has been turned over back to the property owner and there are no injuries or anything to report,” said Hollander.

According to Hollander, the property owner did not leave it unattended and it just got out of control after jumping a fireguard.

The fire is out but is still being investigated.

Hollander said the public should never leave slash piles unattended, make sure there is a fire guard in place and to be aware of weather conditions, such as wind. He also said burners should have enough water, people and tools on hand.

Property owners should make sure their property is also easily accessible to firetrucks. Hollander said this fire was very hard to locate and to get to due to the large apparatuses having no space and were hampered due to brush and low hanging branches.

“We would ask the public to take a look at their property and make sure the apparatus firetrucks can get into their property, that’s important for everyone to know,” he said.

4:11 p.m. update:

The fire is still ongoing but under control according to Claire Allen, a fire information officer with BC Wildfire Service.

“There was a pile fire and it got approximately to four-hectares,” said Allen. “Because it is [in the 100 Mile House] fire department’s jurisdiction they did ask for assistance. They were the main agency responding but they did ask for assistance from the BC Wildfire Service.”

The BC Wildfire Service sent one unit that attended for the day but has now left. 100 Mile House units are still on site though.

The cause, according to Allen, is believed to be a pile that got away due to the wind.

There is Category Three Open Fire Restriction in place right now and the Cariboo Fire Centre is urging all people burning to be cautious. With the snow receding, it can get dry. It also pretty windy and warm out.

Original story:

There’s a substantial column of smoke visible between 100 Mile House and Gateway.

The smoke is to the north of Canim Hendrix Lake Road.

Multiple numerous fire rescue vehicles were seen entering a private property on Sundman Road.

We have not yet heard back from local fire chiefs.

More details to come.

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Fire rescue vehicles about to enter a private property on Sundman Road.