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Two wildfires burning in East Kootenay
The BC Wildfire Service is responding to two wildfires in the East Kootenay.
There is a full response to both of these fires including multiple helicopters and airtankers supporting crews on the ground.
One fire is adjacent to the Elk River, and 1.5 kilometres east of Highway 93 and the community of Baynes Lake. Twenty-five BC Wildfire Service firefighters and multiple pieces of heavy equipment are working on this incident. This fire is currently estimated at 200 hectares.
The Regional District of East Kootenay has issued an evacuation order for the Kragmont area and an evacuation alert for the Baynes Lake area.
The other fire is adjacent to Highway 95, near Cedared Creek and the communities of Harrogate, Spillimacheen (pictured) and Brisco. Ten firefighters and water tender are on site. This fire is estimated at 50 hectares.
The RDEK has issued an evacuation alert for the area from the boundary of the RDEK and Columbia-Shuswap Regional District east of the Columbia River and south to Westside Road.
One home closest to the blaze has already been evacuated.
The Windermere Fire Department has deployed their sprinkler protection units to three homes to help provide protection. An evacuation alert
For more information, visit: http://www.rdek.bc.ca With hot and dry conditions forecast through next week and the potential for more thunderstorms, the Southeast Fire Centre is urging the public to be extra cautious in the backcountry.
All person-caused fires are preventable and these incidents may affect the ability of the firefighting crews to respond to naturally occurring fires. We are urging the public to continue their participation in reporting any smoke or flames that they may see. You can report a wildfire by calling 1-800-663-5555, or *5555 on your cellular phone. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, go to: http://www.bcwildfire.ca.
