Lightning fires keep crews busy in Arrow Lakes
By Contributor
BC Wildfire Service personnel have been responding to lightning-caused fires throughout the Arrow Fire Zone.
Although some fires are highly visible from surrounding communities, none of these fires is immediately threatening communities or structures.
Due to the locations of these fires, members of the public may see smoke and notice increased air operations by the BC Wildfire Service as it deals with these incidents.
- The fire northeast of New Denver on Mount Carpenter experienced minimal growth overnight and covers about 1.5 hectares as of this afternoon. Thirteen BC Wildfire Service personnel are working on the south flank of the fire, while two helicopters are working on the east flank.
- The fire near Woden Creek, about 12 kilometres southeast of Burton, covers about 28 hectares as of this afternoon. Currently, 25 BC Wildfire Service personnel are working to contain this fire with the help of a helicopter.
- The fire northeast of Nakusp on Mount Jordan covers about 1.5 hectares as of this afternoon. Ten BC Wildfire Service personnel and one helicopter are working to extinguish hot spots.
- The fire on Saddle Mountain (about 12 kilometres southwest of Nakusp) covers about 0.1 hectares as of this afternoon and this fire is being held. Two Initial Attack Crews are on site and continuing with fire suppression activities.
The BC Wildfire Service reminds the public that unattended or abandoned campfires can easily start a wildfire. This type of human-caused wildfire is completely preventable and diverts crucial resources away from naturally occurring wildfires.
From April 1 to June 28, 2017, the Southeast Fire Centre has responded to 34 wildfires that have burned 73 hectares. Twenty of these fires were caused by lightning, while the remaining 14 were caused by people. Last year on this day, a total of 38 fires had burned 312 hectares.
The fire danger rating in most of the Southeast Fire Centre is currently “moderate” or “high”, with some areas of “extreme” fire danger in the Arrow Fire Zone and Cranbrook Fire Zone.
The Southeast Fire Centre extends from the U.S. border in the south to the Mica Dam in the north and from the Okanagan Highlands and Monashee Mountains in the west to the B.C.-Alberta border in the east. The Southeast Fire Centre includes the Selkirk Natural Resource District and the Rocky Mountain Natural Resource District.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call *5555 on a cellphone or 1 800 663-5555 toll-free.
For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, visit: www.bcwildfire.ca
You can also follow the latest wildfire news:
- on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo
- on Facebook: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo
