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New fire in the Wolf Creek area knocked down
A new wildfire came to life overnight in the Wolf Creek area. The .09 hectare fire, started by lightning, is on the north side of Wolf Creek Forest Service Road, near its terminus, northeast of Wasa.
UPDATE: The Regional District of East Kootenay reports that an initial attack crew from Invermere was immediately dispatched and the Wolf Creek fire was quickly and fully extinguished.
The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) also reports the Island Pond fire, 12 km south of Canal Flats, is now 35% contained.
Discovered on Sunday, July 30, the human-caused fire is an estimated 1,151.0 ha, with 67 firefighters, three helicopters and eight pieces of heavy equipment fighting the blaze, along with water bombers that have been using Columbia Lake to fill up with water.
“Fire suppression efforts will be supported by helicopters, air tankers, skimmers and heavy equipment today. Crews are making good progress on the south flank. A successful burn-off operation took place along the east flank. Crews continue to clean up this guard line with hand ignition. Water delivery continues around the fire perimeter. The public can expect to see increased smoke from this fire,” the BCWS reported this morning, August 7.
An evacuation alert remains in effect for the Sheep Creek area and Premier Lake Provincial Park.
The evacuation alert was issued by the Regional District of East Kootenay. For information regarding this evacuation alert, please visit: http://www.rdek.bc.ca or call 250-426-2188.
To the northeast of the Island Pond fire, about 40 km east of Fairmont Hot Springs, the White River fire is now at an estimated 1,226 ha.
Discovered Saturday, July 29, the lightning-caused fire is not currently affecting any communities or structures.
There are currently 13 firefighters, two helicopters and two pieces of heavy equipment attacking the fire.
“Crews are assessing the fire today and preparing for potential burn-off operations. Burn-off operations will occur when the weather permits,” BCWS reported.
Public access to the White-Middle Fork Forest Service Road is now prohibited at the 45.5 kilometre point. The Lands Manager of the Rocky Mountain Natural Resource District ordered the road closure due to concerns about public safety.
This fire is also producing large amounts of smoke that might be visible in the region from Radium Hot Springs and Canal Flats, Kimberley/Cranbrook and as far east as Alberta.
Parks Canada fire crews continue to work on the 4,833 ha Verdant Creek wildfire, which is responsible for ongoing closures of Highway 93 through Kootenay National Park, as well as the evacuation of Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park. The highway is currently open but DriveBC warns that a closure could come at any time, depending on fire and smoke activity. There is the alternative route to Golden via Highway 95 and then Highway 1 east for those seeking a more guaranteed, albeit longer drive to Alberta. Highway 3 through Crowsnest Pass is also open.
Parks Canada reported yesterday (August 6) that it is “actively managing the Verdant Creek wildfire. The fire does not directly threaten any local communities or the Bow and Columbia valleys. Visitors and residents should expect increased smoke as temperatures rise. The north part of the fire has not grown in size and remains on the west side of the Continental Divide. Crews are working directly on the fire’s edge on the north to suppress the fire.
“Along Highway 93 in Kootenay National Park, winds have brought the southwest part of the fire closer to the road, and carried burning embers, resulting in spot fires on the west side. Parks Canada continues to work to contain these spot fires with crews and helicopters bucketing.”
The person-caused fire a Ward-Bloom south of Cranbrook, near the US border, remains active at 39 ha, BCWS reports.
Finally, another new fire is being reported at Bayview Creek, south of Nicholson. The fire is noted as being .1 ha.
Lead image: Parks Canada firefighters working on the Verdant Creek fire August 6. Parks Canada Photo
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