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Doctor Creek fire grows to 3,000 ha
The Doctor Creek wildfire has exploded from about 400 to an estimated 3,000 hectares in the past 24 hours.
Located about 25 km southwest of Canal Flats, the out-of-control fire is highly visible and is burning in steep and rocky terrain. The lightning-caused fire was discovered on August 18, initially reported as an estimated 1.1-hectare fire. It ballooned to 250 ha in 24 hours, when the
Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Aug. 19 issued an Evacuation Order for the Findlay Creek area.
The evacuation includes the area north of Whitetail Lake up to Dutch Creek; west to the Purcell Conservancy Corridor; south to Doctor Peak and Mount Allen; east to the Skookumchuck FSR. west of Canal Flats, due to the out-of-control Doctor Creek drainage wildfire.
The BC Wildfire Service reports it is has doubled the manpower on the fire in the past 24 hours, with 40 firefighters and three pieces of heavy equipment now battling the blaze.
“Ground crews are working with the support of heavy equipment and aviation resources today. Structural protection is also being deployed as required,” BC Wildfire Service stated.
Nine other fires are still in the BC Wildfire Service system for the East Kootenay, with one out-of-control, one being held and seven under control.
The out-of-control fire is on Steamboat Mountain, west of Edgewater. The fire is estimated at one-tenth of a ha.
The 2.4 ha Dunbar Creek fire just north of Brisco along Highway 95 is now ‘being held.’
A .04-ha fire, also on Steamboat Mountain, is under control as well as the .20-ha fire in the St. Mary River west of the lake.
The Skookumchuck Creek, Kootenay River, Miller Road, Stirton Road and Joseph Creek fires are all reported as under control.
No new fires have been reported over night in the East Kootenay.
The weather for today (August 21) in the region, according to Environment Canada, will be highs about 29 to 30 C with mainly cloudy conditions.
Sunshine is forecast for the weekend but temperatures are expected to be in the mid to high 20s.
Lead image: A look at the Doctor Creek wildfire. BC Wildfire Service photo
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