UPDATED: Norrish Creek forest fire 60 per cent contained
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Updated: July 09, 2009 2:27 PM
A forest fire near Norrish Creek was about 10 hectares at its peak Monday afternoon, said a Coastal Fire Centre (CFC) spokesperson, and by Wednesday morning the rain helped bring containment to 60 per cent.
North Fraser Fire Department was initially called to the scene, and provincial forestry firefighters later took command of the blaze once it was determined to be on Crown land, said Donna MacPherson, CFC.
An air tanker dumped retardant Monday, and MacPherson stressed that no material made its way into Norrish Creek.
Forty firefighters worked the fire Monday, and personnel numbers ramped up to 67 Tuesday due to the “incredibly steep terrain” and the low clouds, which prevented further aircraft from helping ground crews. There were 49 people at the site Wednesday. Progress is slow because no heavy equipment can be brought to the site. All work must be done by hand, she added.
A pair of helicopters were brought in July 8 to help extinguish fire on the bottom end of the scene, but the upper end is still socked in the clouds.
Pitt Lake fire
A fire on the east side of Pitt Lake last Thursday is now 100 per cent contained, said MacPherson.
On Friday morning, there were 10 firefighters on site battling the blaze as well as one helicopter. The area was fairly difficult to get to, and with the dry forest and deep duff layers, firefighters had their work cut out for them.
A lightening strike was suspected to be the cause of the blaze, which had been smoldering for several days before it was spotted.
The CFC is reminding people to be careful in the forest, especially around campfires.
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