Village of Canal Flats Mayor Ute Juras has provided an update via Facebook on the forest fires burning near the Columbia Valley town.

“I have met with the Incident Commander and the Fire Protection Officer for the Invermere Zone on Sunday, August 3. They advised me that there are two large fires that they are currently working on. The one closest to Canal Flats, around Nine Mile Creek and Mount Glen (the Southeast Fire Centre website refers to it as the White Tail Brook fire), is around 1,200 ha in size now and 35% contained. This is their number one priority and they are concentrating on areas where the fire could most likely jump the river. They did receive some much-needed rain on the north side of the fire on Friday, August 1,” Juras outlined.

“The second fire they are working hard on is the one around Whiteswan (Provincial Park). This fire is approximately 950 ha in size and caused the campground to be closed indefinitely,” she added.

“I was also informed that they will be hiring an Information officer who will be able to provide us with current updates on the situation. Any information that will come to me I will post on my Facebook page,” Juras said, turning to some thanks.

“At this time I would like to take the opportunity to thank the staff at Fire Valley (Restaurant) for tirelessly providing meals to the firemen who are posted at the school. Thank you to Mathieu for his quick thinking in opening the area for showers. Thank you also to the individuals who provided towels for the firefighters when the need arose. This is such a special community which our guests have noticed and very much appreciate it,” she said.

As a reminder, Canal Flat’s Fire Chief has imposed a campfire and fireworks ban for the billage.

Call the Village Office or Denise Trepanier, Emergency Coordinator, at 250-421-2744 for more info.

e-KNOW

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