CASTLEGAR – The BC Wildfire Service continues to respond to the Argenta Creek wildfire (N71058), located adjacent to the community of Argenta, on the north end of Kootenay Lake. The size is estimated to be 14,745 hectares.

In the interest of public and responder safety, an area restriction is now in effect within the Argenta Creek area:

• Commencing at the mouth of Fry Creek on Kootenay Lake @ [50° 3.524′, -116° 52.623′] and following along Fry Creek to the confluence of Fry Creek & Carney Creek @ [50° 5.012′, -116° 46.799′],
• Continuing up Carney Creek to the mouth of Lunch Creek on Carney Creek @ [50° 7.368′, -116° 42.821′] following Lunch Creek up slope to the height of land,
• Continuing along the height of land tying into Mt Lake Peak @ [50° 10.300′, -116° 42.883′] and continuing along height of land tying into Mt Toby Peak @ [50° 13.382′, -116° 33.264′],
• Turning north continuing along height of land tying into Red Top Mtn Peak @ [50° 19.162′, -116° 32.526′] then tying into Blockhead Mtn Peak @ [50° 18.500′, -116° 35.994′] and following height of land to the top of Tea Creek @ [50° 28.615′, -116° 44.513′],
• Following Tea Creek downslope to the mouth of Tea Creek on Howser Creek @ [50° 33.651′, -116° 47.092′] and continuing southwest down Howser Creek meeting up with the Duncan River FSR @ [50° 27.851′, -116° 55.011′],
• Following the Duncan River FSR South until the junction of Duncan River FSR & Argenta Road @ [50° 12.048′, -116° 56.818′] and continuing along Argenta Road to the mouth of Carter Creek on Kootenay Lake @ [50° 10.303′, -116° 55.432′],
• Following the shoreline of Kootenay Lake South back to the point of commencement at the mouth of Fry Creek on Kootenay Lake @ [50° 3.524′, -116° 52.623′].

A map of the affected area is available online and below.

Under this Order and section 11(2) of the Wildfire Act, a person must not remain in or enter the restricted area without the prior written authorization of an official designated for the purposes of the Wildfire Act, unless the person:

Enters the area only in the course of:
(a) Travelling to or from his or her principal residence, that is not under an evacuation order;
(b) Travelling to or from his or her private or leased property for the purpose of accessing his or her secondary residence or property, that is not under an evacuation order;
(c) Using a highway as defined in the Highway Act;
(d) Travelling as a person acting in an official capacity as defined in s.56 of the Wildfire Act; or
(e) Travelling for the purpose of supporting wildfire suppression or enforcement patrol activities.

Road closures and area restrictions are subject to change depending on fire activity. For the most current information please visit the bans and restrictions section of the BC Wildfire Service website for the Southeast Fire Centre.

The Southeast Fire Centre extends from the U.S. border in the south to Mica Dam in the north, and from the Okanagan Highlands and Monashee Mountains in the west, to the B.C.-Alberta border in the east.

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, visit: bcwildfire.ca, the BC Wildfire Map or download our app.

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Contact:
Fire Information Officer
BC Wildfire Service
Southeast Fire Centre
250-318-7715

Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect.