The Island Pond fire experienced some wind overnight (August 1) but the majority of the machine and retardant guard held. The crews worked on the ground all night last night.

They are estimating the fire to be 25% contained.

Today they have: 64 personnel; five pieces of equipment; three helicopters and air tankers are working the fire again today as well.

The fire is still estimated at 1,150 hectares. They are going to be up mapping it again today and are hoping to get a good size reading as smoke conditions permit. Highway 93/95 near Island Pond is still single lane alternating traffic.

Elsewhere, the highway through Kootenay National Park, between Radium Hot Springs and Castle Junction remains closed. The detour through Golden is currently open to single lane alternating traffic. Crowsnest Pass is open.

You can expect lengthy delays and I recommend checking www.drivebc.ca for the latest updates as I will be tied up this afternoon and won’t be sending another update until early this evening unless there is significant change.

The smoke is expected to continue for the next couple of days at least and the Air Quality Advisory remains in effect. The smoke is not just from local fires – it’s also from the west and south of the border. Overnight inversions could continue to push the smoke down into the valley this week as well.

Lead image: Island Pond blanketed by smoke from the nearby fire. Photo by Sgt. Chris Newel/Kimberley RCMP

RDEK

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