Regional wildfire update

The air tanker (carrying retardant) and skimmers (landing and scooping water) worked on the Lamb Creek Fire all day yesterday. The fire did experience growth and is now estimated at 100-hectares. In spite of the growth, it currently is not threatening any structures or communities.

If you were in the area yesterday, you would have likely seen the planes landing four at a time with turnarounds of three to four minutes. They need plenty of room to move safely. To help protect public safety and assist firefighting operations in the area, the BC Wildfire Service is restricting watercraft access to Moyie Lake, effective immediately (the BCWS map is attached and a bulletin is available on the BC Wildfire Service website).

Reports of boaters or anyone else getting in the way of firefighting aircraft will be investigated by the Compliance and Enforcement Branch, the Conservation Officer Service and/or the RCMP.
• Under the Wildfire Act, the person responsible could face a violation ticket fine of $1,150.
• There is also an option to levy an administrative penalty instead of a violation ticket. The maximum penalty is $100,000 under the Wildfire Regulation.
• The person could also be charged with an offence under the Wildfire Act, which carries a maximum fine of $100,000.

• Booth Creek: This fire started August 28 about eight km west of Cranbrook. Crews made excellent progress on it yesterday and I’m pleased to advise that fire is now 100% contained. It was mapped at .52 hectares today and crews are continuing to mop up hot spots.
• Linklater (Formerly Mount Robinson) – No significant changes to report. This fire is burning on both the US and Canadian side of the border south of Newgate. The fire on the Canadian side is still estimated at 30 hectares in size and it continues to burn along/adjacent to the border in a more horizontal pattern. The BC Wildfire Service has 19 people, two pieces of heavy equipment, and two helicopters working that fire today on the Canadian side. They have completed some machine guarding are continuing to directly attack from ground and air. The fire is not threatening any communities or structures at this time. The BCWS continues to work cooperatively with its American counterparts on this fire.
  • Quinn Creek: No new update to report. As predicted, this fire is producing lots of smoke each day in the late afternoon.
• Grave Creek: This fire is burning near the White River fire and is part of the White River Complex. There were 43 personnel and four pieces of heavy equipment on the Grave Creek Fire. There’s no change to report from this morning’s update – and both fires are expected to continue to kick up smoke in the late afternoons this week due to the hot, dry conditions.
• Verdant Creek Fire (burning in Kootenay National Park) – there are no significant changes to report on this fire tonight. The fire is estimated at over 14,500 hectares in size and is being actively fought by air and ground. Highway 93 from Radium to Castle Junction is open (at the time of this writing); however, it could still be affected by smoke, wildfire or fire suppression activities, so there may be delays or temporary closures. I know many of you will be watching for an update before the long weekend and I’m doing my best to get an update from Parks Canada for you. In the meantime, there is no significant change and I still recommend checking www.drivebc.caor www.alberta511.ca   before you travel for the latest status/road conditions.

SMOKE, SMOKE and MORE SMOKE – The thick smoke blanketing the majority of the East Kootenay today joins us from Oregon and Washington (in addition to the smoke generated by local fires). There is an Air Quality Statement in effect and I expect the smoky conditions will stick with us for a bit yet.

Other Reminders:
• The campfire ban remains in place.
• The off-road vehicle restrictions remain in place.
• To report a fire or smoke plume, call *5555 or 1-800-663-5555.

Next Update: Wednesday afternoon unless something significant changes.

View BC Wildfire Service Bulletin re: Watercraft Restrictions.

ftp://ftp.rdek.bc.ca/Fires/2017FLNR0252-001495.pdf

Loree Duczek

RDEK

Article Share