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Smoke column visible from highway and Parson
The BC Wildfire Service continues to respond to the Beards Creek wildfire, located approximately five kilometres north of Parson and Highway 95, and approximately 34 kilometres southeast of Golden.
The fire was producing a large column of smoke yesterday. It is highly visible from Highway 95, Highway 1, Parson and the surrounding area.
The fire is currently estimated to be 20 hectares in size. Seven BC Wildfire Service personnel are on site, with the aid of three helicopters. This fire is not impacting any communities or structures at this time. It is burning in steep and difficult terrain that is unsafe for crews to action directly.
The fire is a modified response fire. This means it is managed using a combination of suppression techniques, including direct and indirect attack, and monitoring to steer, contain and otherwise manage fire activity within pre-determined perimeters. This type of response is used to minimize costs and/or damage, and to maximize benefits from the fire.
A short distance west, across the highway, Columbia River and up into Hobo Creek is a 90 ha fire that started on July 20. The fire is listed as active but guarded.
Sixty-four personnel are on this fire today with the help of three helicopters and heavy equipment.
The Columbia-Shuswap Regional District has issued an evacuation alert for the recreation sites at Mitten Lake, Bittern Lake, Nine Bay and McLean Lake. The fire is not directly impacting these sites however, it has potential to impact the Parson Forest Service Road used to access these sites.
The BC Wildfire Service Active Wildfire website does not note any other fires in the East Kootenay at this time.
The Southeast Fire Centre extends from the U.S. border in the south to Mica Dam in the north, and from the Okanagan Highlands and Monashee Mountains in the west to the B.C.-Alberta border in the east.
Report a wildfire or open burning violation by calling 1 800 663-5555 toll-free, or *5555 on a cellphone. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, go to: http://www.bcwildfire.ca
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