The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) today (August 22) reports the Doctor Creek wildfire, 25 km west of Canal Flats, experienced limited growth yesterday and is still listed at about 3,000 hectares.

“Movement has been mostly uphill and away from infrastructure in recent days. Ground crews are working with the support of heavy equipment and aviation resources today. Crews continue to construct control lines and are preparing for small planned ignitions, if needed, to reinforce lines.

“Suppression efforts are currently concentrated on the east flank of the fire,” BC Wildfire Service noted.

“This fire is highly visible from Canal Flats, other nearby communities and highway 93/95 and is burning in steep and rocky terrain.”

To support the response efforts and to protect the safety of the public and firefighting personnel, an area restriction is in effect in the vicinity of this fire, which was discovered Tuesday, August 18.

Structural protection is in use near the lightning-started fire.

There are 72 firefighters, five helicopters and two pieces of heavy equipment fighting the fire.

An incident management team is now onsite at this wildfire.

BC Wildfire Service reports eight other fires in the East Kootenay, including new fires near Lake Koocanusa and Cutt’s Marina and Pinnacle Creek, about 4.5 km east of Brisco.

The fire about 2.5 km north of Cutt’s Marina is estimated .01 ha. Its cause is unknown.

The Pinnacle Creek fire near Brisco is estimated at .02 ha. It was ignited by lightning.

Not far away is the under-control Dunbar Creek fire, at 2.4 ha.

Eleven km south is the still out-of-control Steamboat Mountain fire. Started by lightning Aug. 19, the fire is an estimated one-tenth of a ha.

The four remaining fires are all under control: Joseph Creek (.2 ha); Stirton Road (3.5 ha); Kootenay River near Wasa (4.9 ha); and Skookumchuck Creek (.01 ha).

Lead image: A look at the Doctor Creek wildfire. BCWS photos

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