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East Kootenay Wildfire Update
Here’s a look at the current wildfire situation in the East Kootenay for Friday, July 24 (as per BC Wildfire Service).
Matthew Creek Wildfire
The Matthew Creek Wildfire (pictured above), discovered July 18, is now an estimated 869 hectares and remains out-of-control and a Wildfire of Note.
An Evacuation Alert for the entire City of Kimberley remains in place.
Learn more about this wildfire.
Tower Creek 2 Wildfire
Tower Creek 2 Wildfire, discovered July 17, remains out-of-control at 250 ha. It is also a Wildfire of Note.
An Evacuation Alert for 66 properties in the St. Mary Lake area remains in place.
Learn more about this wildfire.
Tower Creek Wildfire
The Tower Creek Wildfire discovered on July 17 is out-of-control at 12 ha.
Fire Number N11167
A new lightning-caused fire discovered today, about one mile southeast of the Tower Creek fire, is an estimated .3 ha.
Fire Number N11152
And another lightning-caused fire discovered today, about one mile east of Fire N11167, is an estimated .01 ha.
BC Wildfire Service reported on the Bootleg Complex:
The East Kootenay region is expected to remain under the influence of an upper ridge through Saturday. Across the Bootleg Complex, varied amounts of precipitation were received over the past 24 hours. Mid- to high-level cloud cover and variable amounts of smoke from the western portion of the province are expected today. Temperatures are forecast to gradually increase today near 30 degrees, accompanied by a slight increase in relative humidity.
There remains potential for thunderstorms and lightning across the region tonight, with additional precipitation possible. Winds are expected to gradually strengthen between today and Saturday ahead of a potential incoming cold front. Sustained winds are forecast to increase to 15–22 km/h today, with gusts reaching 30–40 km/h this afternoon.
Fire behaviour
Reduced fire behaviour is possible today due to the precipitation received across the Bootleg Complex. The Matthew Creek, Tower Creek, and Tower Creek 2 wildfires all received varying amounts of precipitation over the past 24 hours.
On the afternoon of July 23, fire behaviour increased as warmer temperatures, strengthening winds, and an abundance of dead and receptive fuels combined to create conditions more conducive to fire growth.
Despite recent precipitation, forecast weather conditions, including strengthening winds and the potential for thunderstorms, may contribute to elevated fire behaviour and continued smoke production today.
Calamity Creek Wildfire (Fire Number N11036)
Calamity Creek Wildfire, located about two km west of Dewar Creek, southwest of St. Mary’s Alpine Park is out-of-control at 70 ha.
Jumbo Creek Wildfire (N21071)
Discovered July 20, the fire is now 22 ha and out-of-control.
“N21071 (pictured right) is a lightning-caused wildfire burning in challenging terrain, where direct suppression activities would provide limited operational benefit while exposing firefighters to unnecessary risk. This incident is not threatening structures or critical infrastructure at this time,” Bc Wildfire Service reported.
“This fire is also burning within a fire-dependent ecosystem where naturally occurring wildfire provides ecological benefits, as such, the BC Wildfire Service is using a modified response strategy for this incident. This wildfire is being regularly monitored and should it move into an area that is a threat to identified values, response objectives and tactics will be adjusted accordingly.”
As always, consult BC Wildfire Service’s website for up-to-date information.
BC Wildfire Service photos
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