Carlson Point (aka Old Sechelt Mine) Wildfire 100% Contained at 400 Hectares

Press Releases

UPDATE #13, July 20, 11:00am

The estimated size of the fire is 400 hectares with 100% containment. Residents may continue to see smoke rising from the fire. Crews will continue mop up of any hotspots and any emerging smokes within 50 feet of the perimeter. The fire will continue to burn for some time and will be monitored. Danger tree management is ongoing. The Halfmoon-Carlson FSR has been closed as of July 6, until further notice. The Evacuation Alert for Carlson Point remains in effect. The shíshálh Nation and SCRD would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of John Phare, the tree faller who lost his life while fighting this fire. This is a terrible tragedy and a sad reminder of the dangers faced by our firefighters.

UPDATE #12, July 14, 15:00pm – State of Local Emergency Cancelled / Carlson Point Evacuation Order Rescinded / Evacuation Alert in Effect

The estimated size of the fire is 400 hectares with 75% containment. The fire has produced a high volume of danger trees in the area by burning tree roots and damaging tree limbs. The Halfmoon-Carlson Forest Service Road remains closed.

South: Crews will continue work on wet lines around southern half of the division, complete falling and tighten the line to burn on the northeast flank. Danger tree assessment and falling has begun on machine guard and to continue wetline on the burn-off areas.

North: Crews will continue to mop up. Danger tree assessment and falling along the perimeter will continue.

North/South: Clear roads and turnouts of debris. Excavators to remove danger trees on north end of Wormy Lake, assist falling activity on east flank and widen turn at north end of Wormy Lake.

A 100-person camp has been established for the firefighters. The BC Ministry of Environment Wildfire Smoke Advisory for the Sunshine Coast has ended. PLEASE stay out of the fire operations area! People interfering with fire operations can and will be charged under the Wildfire Act.

UPDATE #11, July 13, 08:00am

North: Crews will continue to mop up. Danger tree assessment and falling along the perimeter will continue.

North/South: Clear roads and turnouts of debris. Excavators to remove danger trees on north end of Wormy Lake, assist falling activity on east flank and widen turn at north end of Wormy Lake.

A 100-person camp has been established for the firefighters.

The BC Ministry of Environment Wildfire Smoke Advisory for the Sunshine Coast has ended.

UPDATE #10, July 10, 16:00pm

Containment of the fire is estimated at 40%. A fly-over was completed this morning which confirmed that all control lines have held. The fire has produced a high volume of danger trees in the area by burning tree roots and damaging tree limbs.

South: Crews will work from the west flank to south tip of fire and on the east flank to south tip. Crews will also work on the machine guard around Wormy Lake and conduct a burn off from new guard at east side of south division.

North: Crews will continue to mop-up, danger tree assessors and fallers. Crews will be moving north and south mopping up hotspots. A 100-person camp has been established for the firefighters.

The Halfmoon-Carlson Forest Service Road remains closed.

UPDATE #9, July 10, 11:00am

The Incident Commander at the Old Sechelt Mine fire has authorized the SCRD to release a map of the location of the Old Sechelt Mine fire. The BC Wildfire Service has command of the site. The estimated size of the fire is 300 hectares due to controlled burn-offs that began on July 7. Burn-offs are now complete and were successful. Falling of danger trees continues. Crews are continuing to work towards containment, removing fuels between two road systems that band large parts of the fire. Crews will be continuing to mop-up on the south flank. On the north flank crew will work on mop-up resulting from burn operations carried out yesterday. On the West and east flanks crews continue to patrol for any hotspots. There are currently about 100 firefighters working on rotation, 3 helicopters and 16 pieces of heavy equipment. The Halfmoon-Carlson Forest Service Road remains closed.

UPDATE #8, July 9, 21:00pm

We have had an amazing amount of food dropped off, cash donations and support at the community hall for the Fire fighters, that are fighting what is being call the “Old Sechelt Mine Site” (Carlson Point). We are supplying them with a hot breakfast in the morning a brown bag lunch they can pick and pack, with a variety of sandwiches, fruit, cookies, granola bars, PowerAde’s and or water. Also we have a bag & tag laundry service as their work schedule has the crews coming down from the fire approximately 8:00pm with a start-up time of 7:00am. They do appreciate the community coming forward and supporting them with food for the day. Also offering a bag & tag laundry service. The fire fighter bring their laundry in with them for breakfast in the morning and when they come back for dinner it is all washed and folded for pick-up. Thank you for letting this happen, for a cause that is so precious to our traditional territory. Thank you!!!

UPDATE #7, July 9, 11:10am – The BC Wildfire Service has command of the site

The estimated size of the fire is 300 hectares due to a burn-off conducted last night which was deemed to have favourable results. Two additional burn-offs were completed and successful today. Falling of danger trees continues. Today we have 49 firefighters, 4 helicopters and 8 pieces of heavy equipment. An additional 37 firefighters have arrived as of late this afternoon. The Halfmoon-Carlson Forest Service Road has been closed. PLEASE stay out of the fire operations area! People interfering with fire operations can and will be charged under the Wildfire Act.

UPDATE #6, July 7, 13:40pm, At this time, the wildfire is now covering over 250 hectares.

UPDATE #5, July 7, 10:25am – State of Local Emergency Declared and Evacuation Order Issued

Yesterday the SCRD declared a State of Local Emergency for Electoral Area B and issued an evacuation order for the Carlson Pt. area. This is due to the closure of the Trout Lake Carlson Forest service road. Search and Rescue and the RCMP delivered the orders by boat today.
All residents have evacuated. The EOC is fully operational and is supporting the residents with emergency support services through ESS. The fire is now 150 ha and exhibiting rank 3-4 fire behavior.

UPDATE #4, July 5, 23:20pm – Faller lost his life in a workplace accident

A terrible tragedy occurred today on the fire ground. A contract faller lost his life in a workplace accident. The RCMP and Worksafe are investigating. This is a sobering reminder of the danger firefighters face suppressing forest fires. Our hearts go out to the family, friends and co-workers. Smoke and ash from the fire was a large concern today due to outflow winds. A wildfire smoke advisory has been posted for the Sunshine Coast by the BC Ministry of Environment. The SCRD call centre 604-885-6800 has fielded over 200 calls since being activated at 14:00 yesterday. Callers have the option of talking to a person or listening to a recorded message. Most calls have been smoke related. The www.scrd.ca website is a good source for those seeking information.

UPDATE #3, July 5, 17:45pm

Issued at 2015-07-05 21:25 UTC by Environment Canada: Special weather statement and smoke advisory issued for: Sunshine Coast, B.C. (082300)

Forest fires in the coast mountains north of Whistler have produced a large volume of smoke which drifted over the Lower Mainland this morning. The smoke is now covering Southern Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland and extends back to the fires in the coast mountains.

Weather conditions today have pushed the smoke to the coast but winds will shift tonight to an onshore flow so that cleaner marine air should move in from the west on Monday.

The public is advised to monitor future forecasts and warnings as warnings may be required or extended.

Please monitor the latest forecasts and warnings from Environment Canada at www.weather.gc.ca

UPDATE #2, July 5, 12:30pm

The fire is now at 80ha. Due to the tremendous efforts of crews the fire is 40% contained. The growth has been mostly to the north. Outflow wind overnight has caused heavy smoke to drift over Sechelt. This may exacerbate pre-existing respiratory conditions. Containment lines will be strengthened and guards constructed today.

Resources on the fire:
– 55 Firefighters
– 2 Officers
– 3 Water Tenders
– 3 Helicopters
– 4 Excavators

The SCRD will continue to support firefighting efforts by providing public information via all media platforms, staffing a 24/7 information line, liaison services and GIS mapping services.

UPDATE #1, July 4, 19:30pm

Extremely strong winds and very low RH is forecast for this evening providing unusual overnight burning conditions. The fire is being managed by Coastal Fire Centre (CFC). The onshore winds are currently moving smoke up the Inlet away from town. BCEHS has had a significant increase in respiratory distress calls due to the smoke yesterday. The Sechelt Hospital is at capacity. The fire is currently over 100 ha in size.Extremely strong winds and very low RH is forecast for this evening [July 4] providing unusual overnight burning conditions. The fire is being managed by Coastal Fire Centre (CFC). The onshore winds are currently moving smoke up the Inlet away from town. BCEHS has had a significant increase in respiratory distress calls due to the smoke yesterday. The Sechelt Hospital is at capacity. The fire is currently over 100 ha in size. Danger trees are being dealt with to provide safe access for fire crews. Heavy equipment is being used to reinforce containment lines. The SCRD is setting up a manned public information line today to divert inquiries away from the Coastal Fire Centre. New information can be obtained on the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) web site or by calling the CFC at 250 951-4209. The SCRD has activated an Emergency Operations Center at Level 1 today. The following information was available at 10:00 AM:

1. Firefighting resources are minimal at the Carlson fire due to a substantial fire taking place in Nanaimo (some residents are being evacuated).
2. Yesterday about 6 loads of retardant was dropped on the fire by a water bomber. The water bombers get recharged at Campbell River and fly with their loads to Sechelt.
3. A helicopter is working to drop water on the fire. Water is being obtained from either Wormy Lake or Carlson Lake.
4. More retardant will be flown over and dumped on the fire today.
5. Winds are not helping he situation. Winds for today are expected to be in the range of about 30 knots.
6. The fire officials consider this fire to be “Serious.”
7. Water for ground servicing is being trucked by tanker trucks from a hydrant at the end of Mason Road.
8. The old mine site road is closed to all traffic. Onlookers are advised to stay away to allow firefighting equipment and personnel clear access to and from the site.
9. Currently the fire department is monitoring various areas for falling embers. Owners are warned to take all the dried moss and leaves from the roof and gutters to prevent fires starting from the dropping embers.
10. Falling ash has been reported at West Sechelt, Oracle and Baillie Roads and as far as Gibsons. Keep a sharp watch for the embers.
11. Residents living in the Carlson Point subdivision are on Evacuation Alert and may need to leave their homes at very short notice.
12. The Province will cover 3 days of food and lodging for evacuees at no cost, if the total evacuation order is mandated.
13. Police will be turning anyone traveling to this restricted area.

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