Some Valley residents placed on 'evacuation alert' due to Slocan Park fire
By Nelson Daily Staff
Southeast Fire Centre Information Officer Jordan Turner said an “evacuation alert” given to residents in the Slocan Valley late Sunday night will remain in place despite the Slocan Park fire appearing to be moving in the opposite direction Monday.
The alert was deemed necessary by the emergency operations centre at the Regional District of Central Kootenay after the Slocan Park fire grew to 100 hectares late Sunday night.
The evacuation alert is preventative measure to alert residents to pack up belongings and be ready leave their homes in case an evacuation order needed to be issued.
“The fire grew to roughly 100 hectares, but now is mostly moving to the northeast, away from the Slocan River and Highway 6 and appears not to be moving down the mountain,” Turner told The Nelson Daily Monday morning.
Turner said the Slocan Park fire is receiving top priority from the Southeast Fire Centre.
Four helicopters and two bombers have targeted the blaze early this morning to beat back the flames while initial attack and regular firefighting crews of up to 20 took to the ground.
Turner said the evacuation alert was for the area from fire numbers 2826 to 3024 on Highway 6.
“The alert covers roughly the homes between Legendary Meats and the Slocan Co-op on Highway 6,” Turner explained.
“The alert was enacted by the RDCK, which alerted residents last (Sunday) night,” Turner added.
The Southeast Fire Centre is working closely with the RDCK emergency operations centre to monitor any upgrades to the evacuation alert.
Turner said, while it doesn’t appear the alert will be upgraded, it will remain in place for the immediate future.
For information on air quality, as well as smoke forecasts for Western Canada, visit the BC Air Quality website.
Anyone seeing a fire or an unattended campfire, call 1 800 663-5555 toll- free or *5555 on a cellphone.
