British Columbia’s largest wildfire, the Doctor Creek fire 25 km southwest of Canal Flats, continues to grow – now estimated at 7,000 ha, or 70-square-kilometres.

Discovered August 18, the lightning-caused fire today has 184 firefighters, eight helicopters and 13 pieces heavy equipment fighting the fire.

“As a result of strong winds, with gusts up to 50 kilometres per hour, the fire spread in a southeasterly direction through the night on Sept. 1. The fire is classified as “Out of Control” and the southeast flank of the fire remains very active,” BCWS reported.

“Crews are working to complete containment lines along the south and east flanks of the fire. On the south flank, crews are working to complete heavy equipment control lines and hand guard that will be tied into steep rocky terrain on the east flank where helicopters will be delivering fire retardant to the area.

“On the north flank, crews continue to extinguish hot spots within 100 feet of the fire perimeter and deliver water to the fires edge. Heavy equipment continues to build guard in the northwest and southwest areas of the fire. Helicopters on this incident are being utilized for water and fire retardant bucketing to help crews establish control lines.

“This afternoon (Sept. 3), if site and weather condition remain favourable, crews will continue with small-scale planned ignitions to remove pockets of fuel between the fires edge and the pre-determined control lines. These small-scale hand ignitions will eliminate unburned fuel within the fire perimeter to eliminate the chance of re-burn or spotting potential in those areas.

The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) has partially rescinded the evacuation order in the Whitetail Lake area. For the most up-to-date information regarding evacuation alerts and orders related to this fire, please visit the RDEK > Evacuation Alerts & Orders.

This morning, winds have lightened on site and temperatures will rise with a mix of sun and clouds through the afternoon.
By Friday (Sept. 4), the ridge of high pressure strengthens over the area and continues into the weekend. Temperatures in this pattern should trend progressively warmer each day.

As winds diminish through the weekend, smoke dissipation will be poor in the area.

No structures are currently threatened. Structure protection systems are in use near the fire as a precautionary measure. Some structure protection units are being removed in areas where they are no longer necessary. Structure protection specialists are anticipating and prepared to protect bridges in the expanding fire area, if required.

The BC Wildfire Service has reduced the size of the area restriction order for Crown land in the vicinity of the Doctor Creek wildfire.

The area restriction is in place to accommodate response operations, ensure the safety of firefighters and protect public safety. Road closures and area restrictions are subject to change depending on fire activity. The amended area restriction will remain in place until noon on Oct. 15, or until it is rescinded.

For detailed information about the restriction, visit bcwildfire.ca > Changes made to the Doctor Creek Area Restriction.

BCWS is still reporting two other older fires in the East Kootenay.

The lightning-caused Booth Creek fire north of New Lake is under control at 3.1 ha and the person-caused Stirton Road fire, discovered August 9, remains under control at 3.5 ha.

BCWS photos

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