CASTLEGAR – The BC Wildfire Service continues to assess and respond to the increased fire behaviour on several fires in the Southeast Fire Centre (SEFC). As the forecast cold front passed through the SEFC yesterday afternoon, existing fires in the region experienced significant wind-driven growth and have become more visible to surrounding communities.
The Fry Creek Wildfire (N71980)
Located approximately 15 kilometres north of Kaslo on the east side of Kootenay Lake. Smoke is preventing an accurate map of the fire; however, the size is estimated to be 150 hectares. The fire is burning in steep and inoperable terrain in the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy that is unsafe for crews to work on directly. The fire has grown over the last few days and is highly visible, particularly at night. As a result of yesterday’s winds, this fire has moved onto the south side of the Fry Creek drainage. The South flank, towards Birchdale, did not see the same growth. The fire continues to back downslope towards Kootenay Lake.
Today, personnel are in the air and on the ground planning suppression action. This action includes assessing a defensible line above the Small Fry Creek drainage and ground truthing for access. Airtankers are laying retardant on the south flank of the fire to slow the downslope movement.
Because of this increase in fire activity, the Regional District of Central Kootenay has implemented an evacuation alert in the Birchdale and Fry Creek areas. For specific information about this alert, please visit rdck.ca.
The Monument Creek Wildfire (N52263)
Located approximately 17km north of the City of Nelson, is lightning-caused and is now estimated to be 300 hectares in size. This growth is wind driven as a result of yesterday’s cold front. With this growth, portions of the fire have now moved into workable terrain that is safe for crews to access.
A unit crew and heavy equipment are being deployed to the 6-mile drainage to begin work there. Two helicopters are now assigned to this incident to cool that section while crews and heavy equipment work in the area. Response officers are on site assessing and developing a containment plan for the Duhamel Creek area. No structures are currently threatened.
The Woden Creek Wildfire (N51956)
Located approximately 27 kilometres northwest of the Village of Slocan and 3 kilometres west of Valhalla Park. It is currently estimated at 145 hectares in size and is lightning-caused.
Since September 5, ground crews have been working on containment with support from helicopters bucketing to cool fire behaviour. This work is continuing for the foreseeable future. No structures are currently threatened.
The Mount Evans Wildfire (N11134)
A lightning-caused wildfire located approximately 27 kilometres southwest of the City of Kimberley. This fire is estimated to be 290 hectares in size at this time and remains located in steep and unworkable terrain that is not safe for crews to work indirectly.
While there was wind-driven growth on this incident in the last few days, the fire is partially contained by natural fuel breaks. It is being flown daily by response officers to monitor for any unfavourable growth. No structures are currently threatened.
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 and burning restrictions, visit:
Follow the latest wildfire news:
- Twitter at: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo
- Facebook at: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo
Contact:
Fire Information Officer
BC Wildfire Service
Southeast Fire Centre
250 318-7715