BC Gov News

The increased wind activity experienced in the Southeast Fire Centre, paired with the hot and dry conditions continuing in the region, has resulted in an increase in fire behaviour.

Lamb Creek wildfire

• Located about 2.5 kilometres northwest of the community of Moyie and 18 kilometres southwest of Cranbrook.
• This 1,400-hectare wildfire is in difficult terrain containing volatile fuel types that will challenge fire suppression operations.
• Smoke is highly visible to the area and Highway 3/95. Last night, the fire grew two kilometres to the south, on the west side of the lake. No structures have been impacted.
• Today, there are 50 personnel on site building fire guards with the aid of 14 pieces of heavy equipment, helicopters and crews are setting up sprinkler protection units.
• As a precautionary measure, in the interest of public safety, the Regional District of East Kootenay is maintaining the evacuation order for Moyie residents. For detailed information about this evacuation order, people should call the Regional District of East Kootenay at 250 426-2188 or visit the district’s website at: www.rdek.bc.ca
• The area restriction remains in place over Moyie Lake, along with the Lamb Creek Forest Service Road closure.

Linklater Creek wildfire

• Located 18 kilometres southwest of Newgate (65 kilometres southeast of Cranbrook), the Linklater Creek wildfire is burning on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border.
• Today, the 766-hectare portion of this fire that is in Canada has 19 personnel on site working with air tankers, helicopters and heavy equipment.
• Crews continue to co-ordinate fire suppression efforts with the U.S.
• As a precautionary measure, in the interest of public safety, the Regional District of East Kootenay has issued an evacuation order for the east side of Lake Koocanusa and an alert is in effect on the west side of Lake Koocanusa. For detailed information about this evacuation order and alert, people should call the Regional District of East Kootenay at 250 426-2188 or visit the district’s website at: www.rdek.bc.ca

White River wildfire

• The White River wildfire is located approximately 37 kilometres northeast of Canal Flats.
• This fire was formerly referred to as the White River Complex. Recent fire activity has merged the three fires in this complex and, from now on, this fire will be referred to as the White River wildfire.
• This fire is currently estimated to be 12,000 hectares.
• Increased fire behaviour yesterday resulted in removing crews and equipment to ensure the safety of personnel. Currently, BC Wildfire Service personnel are closely monitoring this fire and creating contingency plans.
• In the interest of public safety, an evacuation order has been issued for the White Swan area. For detailed information about this evacuation order, people should call the Regional District of East Kootenay at 250 426-2188 or visit the district’s website at: www.rdek.bc.ca
• To aid in fire suppression activities and for public safety, there is a complete road closure on the White-Schofield Forest Service Road starting at the 78-kilometre mark, the White River Forest Service Road starting at the 32-kilometre mark and the White-East Fork Forest Service Road starting at the 60-kilometre mark.

St. Mary’s River wildfire

• The St. Mary’s River wildfire is located approximately 14 kilometres northeast of Cranbrook in the St. Mary’s Reserve.
• This fire is currently estimated to be 398 hectares.
• Today, there are 29 personnel on site with four pieces of heavy equipment working on completing the machine guard around this fire and extinguishing the perimeter.
• An evacuation alert is in effect for St. Mary’s River area where it meets the Kootenay River and the surrounding area. For more information on this order call the Regional District of East Kootenay at 250 426-2188 or visit: www.rdek.bc.ca

Harrop Creek wildfire

• The Harrop Creek wildfire is located approximately 10 kilometres south of the communities of Harrop and Procter.
• This 3,142-hectare fire is producing smoke and visible flame as pockets of unburned fuel burn in between two sections of fire.
• The fire is burning in the Narrow Creek Drainage. Today, the focus will be to establish a contingency guard at the base of the drainage. This guard will be used as a defendable guard line where crews can safely work. The fire continues to burn in steep and difficult terrain and is being closely monitored.
• The alert remains in place that was issued by the Regional District of Central Kootenay for the Harrop, Procter, Sunshine Bay and Kootenay Lake Village. This is a precautionary measure done in the interest of public safety. For more information on this alert, people should call the Regional District of Central Kootenay at 250 352-6665 or visit the district’s website at: www.rdck.ca/EN/meta/news/news-archives/2017-news-archive/update-evacuation-alert-for-harrop-procter-sunshine-bay-kootenay-lake-village.html
• The road closure remains in place for the Harrop Mainline and East Harrop Mainline forest service roads.

The Southeast Fire Centre extends from the U.S. border in the south to the 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. It 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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