(UPDATE: July 26th @ 9:40 a.m.) - The Gustafsen Wildfire is now 100% contained and is being held by crews.
"Firefighters continue to maintain the Gustafsen fire perimeter," reads the latest update from the B.C. Wildfire Service. "Forestry crews continue to push into the perimeter of the fire to build a 100-foot guard."
The fire reached 5,700 hectares before it crews were able to fully contain it.
You can find the latest information on evacuation alerts and order on the Cariboo Regional District website.
(UPDATE: July 22nd @ 1:30 p.m.)
The Gustafsen Wildfire remains at 5,700 hectares in size and is now 90% contained.
(UPDATE: July 18th @ 8:15 p.m.) -The Gustafsen Wildfire has not seen much change. It is still burning at 5,700 hectares and is not listed at 45% contained.
Currently, there are 251 firefighters, eight helicopters, and 11 pieces of heavy equipment on the scene.
Other resources on the scene include 22 support staff, an incident management team, and 16 structure fire department resources.
(UPDATE: July 17th @ 8 p.m.) - The Gustafsen Wildfire is now listed at 35% contained.
The blaze remains at 5,700 hectares due to the recent controlled burns.
Fire crews are now focusing on pushing the guard lines further into the fire perimeter to reinforce the guards, and an infrared drone will be used overnight to pick up hot spots along the guard lines in order to assist in fire fighting efforts.
(UPDATE: July 17th @ 10:10 a.m.) - Not much has changed with the Gustafsen Fire in the past 24 hours.
The blaze remains at 5,700 hectares and 25% contained, with a large number of crews currently fighting the fire.
In total, 293 firefighters, 13 helicopters and 11 pieces of heavy equipment are on scene.
Other resources, including 22 support staff, 16 structure fire department resources and an Incident Management Team are all on scene as well.
Evacuation orders and alerts remain in place, which you learn more about on the Cariboo Regional District website.
(UPDATE: July 16th @ 10:30 a.m.) - Due to a controlled burn off along the west flank of Big Lake in the evening, the Gustafsen Wildfire is at 5,650 hectares and remains at 20% containment.
The burn off has enhanced the western containment lines.
There are currently 290 firefighters, 15 helicopters, 11 pieces of heavy equipment working on the fire.
(UPDATE: July 16th @ 8 a.m.) - The Gustafsen Wildfire is still burning at 5,000 hectares and 20 per cent containment.
Poor weather conditions have caused increased fire behaviour, according to the 100 Mile Area Command.
There are currently 233 firefighters, 15 helicopters, and 42 pieces of heavy equipment fighting the fire.
Windy conditions are expected to continue this afternoon and evening. Crews are working hard along the south west flank of the Gustafsen fire and the Highway 97 corridor.
Structural fire crews and the RCMP continue to patrol areas of 100 Mile House, 103, 108 and surrounding areas. Watson Lake, Lake La Hache and Horse Lake have been closed in order to maintain safe access for air tankers when needed.
(UPDATE: July 14th @ 11 a.m.) - The Gustafsen Wildfire remains at 5,000 hectares and 20% contained, but a number of extra hands have arrived on the scene.
There are now 212 firefighters 43 pieces of heavy equipment, 16 helicopters and six air tankers battlings the blaze.
100 Mile House is on evacuation order and there are other evacuation orders and alerts in place for 103 Mile House, 105 Mile House, western side of Lac La Hache, and the 108 Mile Ranch Community.
You can find out more on those evacuation orders and alerts through the Cariboo Regional District website.
(UPDATE: July 13th @ 8:30 p.m.)- The Gustafsen Wildfire is now 20% contained and remains at 5,000 hectares.
Good weather allowed fire personnel to do a controlled burn, which was successful in burning off areas in the south flank of the fire. Fire personnel hope to continue with those efforts in the days to come.
Two strike teams also arrived today from Ontario, which included 21 firefighters per team.
(UPDATE: July 13th @ 9:30 a.m.) - Crews have made some progress fighting the Gustafsen Wildfire near 100 Mile House.
The fire remains at 5,000 hectares, which is the same size it has been since July 10th, but it's now listed as 15% contained.
There are 134 firefighters, 37 pieces of heavy equipment and 15 helicopters fighting the fire as of Thursday morning.
A full evacuation order remains in effect for 100 Mile House, which you can learn more about here.
(UPDATE: July 11th @ 10:30 a.m.) - The Gustafsen Wildfire remains at 5,000 hectares, where it has been since Sunday night.
A representative from the Cariboo Fire Centre said that Monday was a good day for crews, largely in party to cooperative weather, however the fire is still listed as out of control at 0% contained.
There are still 107 firefighters and 30 pieces of heavy equipment on scene, but the number of helicopters has risen from 14 to 16 since Sunday.
Keeping the fire away from Highway 97 and other structures remains the biggest priority for crews.
(UPDATE: July 10th @ 7:15 a.m.) - The Gustafsen Wildfire continues to grow and on Sunday night it triggered the evacuation of 100 Mile House.
The evacuation route is to take Hwy 24 East, Hwy 5 North, then Hwy 16 to Prince George.
You can find out every you need to know about the evacuation order by clicking this link.
(UPDATE: July 8th @ 3:50 p.m.) - The Gustafsen fire is estimated to be 3200 hectares in size and growing. Smoke being generated by the fire is making it difficult to ascertain its exact size.
The fire is located near the Gustafsen North Forest Service Road west of 100 Mile House.
While the fire continues to grow, BC Wildfire noted that Saturday's calmer winds are assisting efforts. The air is filled with smoke and if people want to leave the area, they are being urged to head to Prince George or to the Lower Mainland.
The current resources being used to battle the blaze include 120 firefighters, four helicopters, 15 pieces of heavy equipment and 25 Incident Management Team and support staff.
(UPDATE: July 8th @ 11:10 a.m.) - The fire near 100 Mile House is being called the Gustafsen Fire.
The Gustafsen fire is an estimated 1500 hectares in size. The cause is under investigation but is suspected to be human caused.
The last update from the BC Wildfire Services reported that it is 0% contained. Smoke being generated by the fire is making it difficult to determine the exact size.
The 100 Mile House Fire Department is also on site.
The fire is expected to grow substantially due to winds and weather conditions.
Crews and heavy equipment worked through the night to build containment lines along the eastern flank of the fire from 100 Road to the Helena Lake Road.
The lines are are being reinforced by ground and air resources.
RCMP has restricted access to the nearby area for public safety.
The Cariboo Regional District has put an Evacuation Order in place for a number of properties in the area.
(UPDATE: July 7th @ 8:50) - The fire burning near 100 Mile House grew significantly overnight.
The fire now sits at 1,200 hectares and is listed as 0% contained.
It is an interface fire, meaning that properties and structures are threatened by the blaze and the Cariboo Fire Centre has issued evacuation orders.
Currently, there are 120 firefighters, six helicopters, 15 heavy equipment vehicles and a 25-person Incident Management Team on scene.
Insane #wildfire outside #100milehouse in BC #canada. one of the strangest things I've seen! #cariboo #forestfire #fire #paddleboarding pic.twitter.com/WtLSpgdpyf
— Andy Witteman (@CNLastro) July 7, 2017
(UPDATE: July 6th @ 5:45 p.m.) - BC Wildfire Services is now reporting the wildfire just outside of 100 Mile House at an estimated size of 220 hectares.
Strong winds continue to fuel the fire's growth.
There are over 50 firefighters currently fighting the fire alongside several helicopters and air tankers.
Very few lightning strikes have been reported in the area leading BC Wildfire Services to speculate that the blaze is human caused.
(Original story: July 6th @ 4:30 p.m.) - A fire that broke out this morning just outside of 100 Mile House has exploded in size this afternoon.
The blaze is just west of the community along the Gustafsen North Forest Service Road, and is now estimated at 140 hectares in size.
A resident of 100 Mile House, who witnessed the fire from Norbord OSB mill, saying that it looks like the fire started at a shooting range 2 km west of the mill.
#100MileHouse @NEWS1130 looks like 6 water bombers ariving at the forest fire in 100 Mile House pic.twitter.com/P0KP0K5ifO
— James Munroe šØš¦ (@JameswMunroe) July 6, 2017
The BC Wildfire Service has sent 40 firefighters to battle the blaze, with another 16 en route.
Airtankers are providing support as well, and skimmers are filling up in Watson Lake, where officials advise lake users to stay clear.
The blaze is clearly visible from the community, as well as from Highway 97.
KelownaNow/KamloopsBCNow will update the story as more information becomes available.
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