Fires make for smokey skies

Smoky skies in the B.C. Interior are the result of several large forest fires, including the Entiako Lake fire in the northeast
corner of Tweedsmuir Park. 

The smoke from these fires has drifted down the coast to Bella Coola, east to Prince George and as far south as
Kamloops.
The Entiako Lake fire is currently estimated at 6,120 hectares. 

It is a "modified response" fire, which means that the fire is being allowed to burn and expand in some areas to help restore ecosystems where no resources are at risk.
However, the Wildfire Management Branch is taking care to protect any nearby values. 

Fire crews have safeguarded several cabins by setting up structure protection units (industrial sprinklers) and are currently working to stop the fire's spread toward the east. They have widened an
existing road and will be burning off forest fuels between the road and the main fire to block its advance.
If weather conditions remain favourable, 21 firefighters and a fire ignition specialist (burn-off supervisor) are scheduled to perform this
controlled burn over the next few days. 

It will be ignited from the air and by hand.
Firefighting crews, aircraft and heavy equipment will be on site to ensure that the fire does not spread past the fireguards that crews have
established.
More information about the Entiako Lake fire is available online at: http://bcwildfire.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=466