In the interest of public safety, the Regional District of East Kootenay has implemented an evacuation alert for the Moyie Lake area, effective at 8 a.m. on Aug. 31, 2017.

The Lamb Creek wildfire is located about five kilometres northwest of the community of Moyie and 18 kilometres southwest of Cranbrook. This 60-hectare wildfire is in difficult terrain, containing volatile fuel types that will challenge fire suppression operations. Today, there are 35 personnel on site building fireguards with the aid of airtankers, five helicopters and six pieces of heavy equipment.

For detailed information about this evacuation alert, people should call the Regional District of East Kootenay at 250 426-2188 or visit the district’s website at: http://www.rdek.bc.ca/departments/emergencyservices/emergencyinfo/  

With increased wind activity expected in the Southeast Fire Centre, paired with the hot and dry conditions continuing in the region, the BC Wildfire Service is anticipating an increase in fire behaviour heading into the long weekend.

People are urged to remain vigilant and be extremely cautious with any activity that could spark a wildfire. They should also be aware of the following restrictions in the Moyie Lake area:

• An area restriction is in effect for Moyie Lake that prohibits the use of watercraft on the lake during this period of heightened fire activity. An information bulletin about this area restriction is available online at: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2017FLNR0252-001495

• The Lamb Creek Forest Service Road remains closed, starting at the 1.5-kilometre mark of the Mineral and Lamb Creek Forest Service Road to the Whitney and Irishman Creek Forest Service Road junction. An information bulletin about this closure is available online at: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2017FLNR0256-001500

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

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

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