CASTLEGAR – The BC Wildfire Service continues to respond to the Mount Morro wildfire (N21014), located about 43 km northeast of the city of Kimberley, about 42 km northwest of the city of Fernie and about 21 km east of Highway 93.

The Area Restriction in place for this wildfire is being reduced in size, but there is still a continued need to protect the public in areas where ongoing fire suppression activities are taking place.

In the interest of public and responder safety, an amended Area Restriction takes effect Aug. 21, 2024, at 12 p.m. (noon) PDT for the Mount Morro area, and remains in force until the earlier of 12 p.m. (noon) PDT on Sept. 30, 2024, or until the Order is rescinded:

• Starting at the junction of White Ram Forest Service Road (FSR), S Lussier River FSR and White Coyote Ridge FSR (50° 00.923′, -115° 31.751′),
• Heading eastward following the south side of the White-Coyote Ridge FSR Right of Way (RoW) & permit road R06355 Sec10 for ~14km to the junction of permit roads R06355 Sec10 and Sec48 (49° 55.259′, -115° 24.663′).
• Heading Southeastward along the height of land crossing Coyote Creek and along the ridge to the edge of Top Of The World Provincial Park (49° 53.691′, -115° 21.960′).
• Following the park boundary to the western side, encompassing all of the park boundary to below the peak of Mount Doolan at height of land (49° 51.481′, -115° 28.568′),
• Follow the height of land west losing elevation to the intersection with permit road R06355 Sec24 (49° 51.715’, -115° 29.380′),
• Follow permit road R06355 Sec24 to the intersection of White-Lussier FSR.
• Follow White-Lussier FSR westward for ~200m to the intersection with Nicol Creek (49° 51.669′, -115° 29.567’),
• Head northwest at a bearing of 205 degrees for approximately 2682 metres to a point on the height of land (49° 52.443, -115° 31.411’)
• Follow the height of land northwest and northeast along the ridge to the junctions of White Ram Forest Service Road (FSR), S Lussier River FSR and White Coyote Ridge FSR (50° 00.923′, -115° 31.751′).

A detailed 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:

1. Travelling to or from his or her principal residence, that is not under evacuation an order;
2. Travelling to or from his or her private or leased property for the purpose of accessing his or her secondary residence or recreational property, that is not under an evacuation order;
3. Using a highway as defined in the Highway Act;
4. Travelling as a person acting in an official capacity as defined in s.56 of the Wildfire Act;
5. Travelling for the purpose of supporting wildfire suppression or enforcement patrol activities.

Failure to comply with Section 11 restricted area requirements may result in a violation ticket for $1,150.

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 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 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
Southeast Fire Centre
BC Wildfire Service
250 318-7715

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