ʔaq̓am Community – St. Mary’s Indian Band has this afternoon issued a precautionary evacuation order for Mission Wasa Low Road residents due to two nearby fires.

“There are two fires just off Mission Wasa Low Road due to downed power lines. As a precaution, we are asking residents of all homes on Mission Wasa Low Road to exit through the emergency access route on the bottom by house 5805 on the reserve and make their way up through the top part of the reserve and either exit through LD Ranch Road through Kimberley and make your way to the health centre,” the band stated on social media.

Please call Jessica at 778-761-0917 at the health centre for more evacuation info.

BC Wildfire Service reports the two fires were discovered today at 2:16 and 2:22 p.m.

BC Wildfire Service and Cranbrook Fire and Emergency Services are currently battling the blazes.

One fire along St. Mary’s River is an estimated 20 hectares and the second, at Joseph Creek, is an estimated .009 ha.

Mainroad East Kootenay Contracting reports that Wasa Mission Lower Road is closed due to the active wildfire. Access to the LD Ranch Road remains available. Please avoid this area, if possible, to allow first responders clear access and obey all Traffic Control Personal and signage.

More updates to come.

Lead image: Air tankers don’t have to go far to hit the two fires. An air tanker taxis on Canadian Rockies International Airport as the fires burn in the background. Mike McPhee Photographs / Instagram: @mikemcphotophotographs

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