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Increased wildfire activity in region
Several fires are burning throughout the Southeast Fire Centre as a result of the recent and ongoing lightning activity in the region.
These fires are not currently affecting any communities or structures, and are being addressed in priority sequence.
The Whitetail Creek fire is currently estimated at 123 hectares in size and is located just outside of Kootenay National Park, approximately 40 kilometres north of Radium Hot Springs.
As a precaution, Parks Canada has issued an area closure for the area near Luxor Pass trail, West Kootenay trail and Dolly Varden trail. Please visit Parks Canada’s website for full area closure details and future updates: www.pc.gc.ca
This fire may be highly visible from local communities and when travelling east on Highway 93.
Other fires in the East Kootenay noted by the BC Wildfire Service include one hectare, lightning-caused fire at Hawkins Creek, about 12 km southeast of Yahk and a .3 ha fire at off Betania Road, about 1.5 km west of Galloway.
Good progress has been made on the Hobo Creek fire located approximately 35 kilometres south east of Golden. This wildfire is approximately 90 hectares and is now being held, meaning that sufficient suppression action has been taken and the fire is not likely to spread beyond exiting or predetermined boundaries under the prevailing and forecasted conditions. For the latest on evacuation alerts for this area, please visit the Columbia Shuswap Regional District’s website: www.csrd.bc.ca
The Hog Ranch fire east of Parson remains active at 43.6 ha.
For more information on wildfires in your area, please visit the ministry’s interactive map.
The fire danger rating in the Southeast Fire Centre is currently predominately ‘high’ with sections of ‘extreme’ and small pockets of ‘moderate.’
The BC Wildfire Service is reminding the public that a campfire prohibition is in effect for the entire Southeast Fire Centre. With new fire starts anticipated as a result of the high fire danger rating, combined with lightning and seasonal temperatures in the forecast, it is crucial to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires, so the BC Wildfire Service can deal with any naturally occurring fires.
Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free, or *5555 on a cellphone.
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