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The recent rainfall and cooler temperatures continue to limit growth on the fires within the Cariboo Fire Centre.

The break in weather has provided firefighters with the opportunity to increase guard construction and reinforce contain-ment on all fires.

Temperatures are expected to remain slightly below seasonal for the next few days. Approximately 1500 personnel are actively involved in suppression efforts in the Cariboo fire Centre, three-quarters of which are from BC.

Next Steps:

Rehabilitation related to suppression activities is now well underway on many of the fires in the Cariboo Fire Centre . In the early stages, a plan is developed to safely and effectively rehabilitate any sites that were disturbed as a result of suppression activities. Examples would include fire guards, camp sites and staging areas. This plan is developed under the guidance and authority of the Wildfire Act. Once the plan is approved by the the local land manager, crews begin to implement the plan. This may include such activities as grass seeding for erosion control, or fencing repair and re-placement due to damage caused by constructing a dozer guard around a fire. The Wildfire Management Branch takes its role in rehabilitation seriously and every effort is made to complete these projects in a timely fashion. However, when dealing with large fires such as the fires we’ve seen this year in the Cariboo, rehabilitation activities can often span several seasons.

Fires of Note:

Meldrum Complex

 The Meldrum Complex is estimated at 47,293 hectares in size. Firefighters are continuing to secure lines and perform mop up on all fires within the complex. Suppression-related rehabilitation is now well underway.

Bull Complex

 Fire 186 is now 100% contained. Firefighters will continue to reinforce the guard by extinguishing hot spots along the southeast perimeter. Fire 234 is now in mop-up. Fire 183 is currently 5,170 hectares in size. Crews will continue to patrol this fire and extinguish hotspots. As of today, the 7000 road is open to the public.

Pelican Complex

 Crews are continuing to increase containment on fires 205 and 299. Fire 205 is currently 43,112 hectares and is 40% contained. Fire 299 is 2,290 hectares and is 50% contained. Firefighters are continuing to construct guard on the east flank of fire 205, and are extinguishing hot spots around the perimeter where required. There is an area road restriction order in place from Pelican Lake to Pantage Lake in effect until September 3, 2010 or until lifted. This road restriction is to allow for the safety of the general public and our suppression resources.

Heckman Pass Fire

 The fire has been mapped at 3,086 hectares. Friday, August 27 was the last day with full resources on this fire. An Incident Commander and 10 fire fighters will continue patrolling and performing mop up where required.

Corkscrew Basin

 This fire is burning within and outside of the Itcha Ilgachuz Provincial Park and is estimated in excess of 6034 hec-tares. This fire is currently being monitored by Wildfire Management Branch staff . A Fire Analysis Plan has been completed by fire management specialists in conjunction with BC Parks Land Managers.