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**update**

There is a wildfire burning along Highway 97 at 140 mile.

(Photo by Joe Cousins: Helicopter dipping water out of Chimney Lake Wednesday afternoon)

Over the past 24 hours there have been approximately sixty new fire starts within the Cariboo Fire Centre's jurisdiction.

(Photo by Brittany Tritt: Smoke from the wildfire at 140 mile could be seen from Williams Lake today)

Lightning strikes from yesterday's thunderstorms ignited these new fires. All of these fires are currently less than a hectare in size. Initial attack firefighters are aggressively suppressing these fires, with helicopters and air tankers assisting them. Helicopters will be utilized on many of these fires, dropping water on hot spots within the fires perimeter, cooling the flames. Air tankers are also available to slow the fires spread by laying retardant around the perimeter of these fires.

Today, the Fire Centre is anticipating a heightened level of activity, as more thunderstorms are forecast with low relative humidity's and gusty winds. In order to detect these new fire starts quickly, the Cariboo Fire Centre has manned three look-outs, and is sending aircraft to look for new fire starts. Additional resources are readily available, if needed.

In addition to the new small fires, there remain two fires of note within the Cariboo Fire Centre's jurisdiction. The first, the Kluskus Fire, remains mapped at 460 hectares and is 100 percent contained. On site, 140 fire suppression personnel are working in conjunction with heavy equipment and helicopters, to cool any remaining hot spots within the fire's perimeter. This fire is not threatening any homes.

The second fire of note is located in south Tweedsmuir Park, and is mapped at 1700 hectares. This fire is in a modified response area, and is being allowed to burn in order to promote the Provincial Park's natural forest ecology. If the fire grows beyond pre-determined trigger points, established by the land manager, Forest Service staff are well positioned to action the fire. This fire is not threatening any communities.

The Cariboo Fire Centre will continue to be busy with lightning caused fires. It is important that people do not add to this workload by causing preventable forest fires. As much of the region remains in an extreme fire danger rating, the fire centre urges the public to maintain extreme caution around all sources of heat. The public is also reminded that effective at noon, July 29, all open burning, including campfires and fireworks, will be prohibited across the Cariboo Fire Centre's jurisdiction, including Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, to help prevent human-caused wildfires and to protect public safety.

To report a wildfire or unattended campfire call *5555 on your cell phone, or 1-800-663-5555. For the latest information on fire activity, fire bans and current conditions, visit the Wildfire Management Branch website at www.bcwildfire.ca. For Facebook and Twitter updates, as well as details about evacuation orders and alerts, road conditions and air quality advisories, go to www.firesafebc.ca.

The Cariboo Fire Centre covers an area of about 10.3 million hectares, stretching from Clinton (Loon Lake) to the south, north to Cottonwood River just north of Quesnel, east to the western boundary of Wells Gray Provincial Park and west to the western boundary of Tweedsmuir Provincial Park.

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