The forest fire burning to the east of Baynes Lake and south of Elko is now sitting at about 50 containment, according to the Southeast Fire Centre, following a planned burnout yesterday.

Regional District of East Kootenay Information Officer Loree Duczek reports firefighters got a leg up on the fire yesterday.

“They got a good GPS reading on the fire today, and it has been mapped at 120 hectares,” Duczek said of the 42 person crew battling the blaze.

“The burn off today went well and has helped create a natural containment line,” she related.

The weather forecast for today is calling for the possibility of thunderstorm activity in the afternoon / evening. If the system develops, there could be gusting winds of up to 60km/hr.

Lead image: Traffic heading into the region from Montana on Highway 93 is partly obscured by smoke from the fire yesterday. Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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