Image: BC Wildfire Service / Yukon initial attack crews assisting at North Peace Complex, May 2024. BC Wildfire Service says it intends to conduct a planned ignition today (Monday, July 29) for the Calcite Creek wildfire approximately eight kilometres southeast of Eastgate, a small unincorporated community on the eastern outskirts of E.C. Manning Provincial Park. Smoke will be visible from Highway 3. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

BC Wildfire Service

BC Wildfire Service to conduct planned ignition, 200 hectares in size, east of Manning Park, today

Jul 29, 2024 | 8:51 AM

EASTGATE (NEAR MANNING PARK), B.C. — BC Wildfire Service says it intends to conduct a planned ignition for the Calcite Creek wildfire approximately eight kilometres southeast of Eastgate, a small unincorporated community on the eastern outskirts of E.C. Manning Provincial Park.

According to a social media post, BCWS says the planned ignition will occur along the north flank of the fire and will comprise approximately 200 hectares in size, utilizing a combination of aerial and hand ignitions.

BC Wildfire Service made the announcement Sunday (July 28) before rain arrived in the Fraser Valley Monday morning. The Weather Network says light rain is falling in Manning Park Monday morning with a cool temperature of 13 degrees.

BC Wildfire Service says the planned ignition will feature 25 ground personnel and three helicopters onsite to conduct this operation.

“The goal of this planned ignition is to bring the active fire perimeter to already established control lines, under fire behaviour conditions that are more suitable for efficient and effective fire suppression efforts,” the government agency said. “The first priority with these operations is always safety. By conducting planned ignitions, firefighters can safely burn the fuels from the fire edge to these containment lines. Access to these containment lines is often suitable for water tenders to deliver water for suppression and mop-up efforts. This operation will only occur if conditions onsite are favourable.”

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BCWS says smoke from this planned ignition will be highly visible to the community of Eastgate and travellers along Highway 3 (Crowsnest Highway).