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31 fires burning in Southeast Fire Centre
BC Wildfire Service personnel have been responding to 31 active wildfires throughout the Southeast Fire Centre. Although some of these wildfires are visible from surrounding communities, none are immediately threatening communities or structures.
Three fires are burning east of Canal Flats. There is a spot fire on Mount Grainger, southeast of Canal Flats, which was started by lightning July 25. There is a .16-hectare person-caused fire in the White River, about seven kilometres northeast of Whiteswan Lake and a 1.7 ha lightning-started blaze at Barr Creek, about 12 km east of Whiteswan.
On July 25, five BC Wildfire Service personnel, one helicopter and the local fire department responded to a spot-sized wildfire off the Kikomun-Newgate Road, on the west side of Lake Koocanusa.
There is a 39 ha lightning-started wildfire burning in the ‘Ward-Bloom’ area, about four kilometres from the US border, directly south of Cranbrook.
There is a newly reported fire, with no other details yet available, about nine km west of Elk Lakes Provincial Park.
A 1.7-hectare fire reported on July 24 near Lockhart Provincial Park (on the east shore of Kootenay Lake, about six kilometres north of Boswell) is now 75% contained. As of the afternoon of July 25, 26 BC Wildfire Service crews were on site. The cause of this fire is under investigation.
Smoky conditions are expected again throughout the Southeast Fire Centre, with prevailing winds forecasted to come from the north and northwest. This smoke originates from several large fires burning in the Cariboo Fire Centre and the Kamloops Fire Centre.
From April 1 to July 25, the BC Wildfire Service has responded to 172 wildfires in the Southeast Fire Centre that have burned 4,717 hectares. Of these fires, 127 were caused by lightning, while the remaining fires were human-caused. Last year on this date, 59 fires had burned 317 hectares.
The Southeast Fire Centre extends from the U.S. border in the south to the 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. The Southeast Fire Centre includes the Selkirk Natural Resource District and the Rocky Mountain Natural Resource District.
To report a wildfire or open burning violation, call *5555 on a cellphone or 1 800 663-5555 toll-free. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, visit: www.bcwildfire.ca.
e-KNOW
Lead image: A fifth wheel trailer caught fire while being driven on Kikomun-Newgate Road. The driver was able to stop and detach the trailer from the vehicle. The BCWS responded immediately with helicopter support and the Baynes Lake Fire Department responded to provide assistance to the BCWS. BIG PROPS go out to the campers and residents in the area who immediately took action and had the fire well in hand before crews arrived. Pictured, two Baynes Lake firefighters put water on the wreckage. The trailer is a total loss; however this is another example where things could have been much worse given the tinder dry conditions. Great work by everyone and a big thanks to all involved! RDEK photo
