UPDATED: BC Wildfire looking at different strategies for 80-hectare Harrop Creek wildfire
By Nelson Daily Staff
The Regional District of Central Kootenay Emergency Operations Centre said in a media release Monday the Harrop Creek wildfire continues to burn, but still poses no threat to any communities or infrastructure.
The RDCK said BC Wildfire Service personnel would monitor the fire while attempting to develop control strategies for the now 200-hectare blaze.
“The fire, which has been burning since Thursday, July 27, poses no threat to any communities or infrastructure at this time and is burning at an elevation of 2,000 meters,” the media release said.
The RDCK said BC Wildfire attack crews were initially dispatched to the fire but were withdrawn for safety reasons because of the steep, rocky and inaccessible location of the fire.
“Instead, crews will try to build a guard further down the mountain, where they can effectively fight the fire on safer ground,” the release said.
The fire, located about 10 kilometers south of the communities of Harrop and Procter on the West Arm of Kootenay Lake, continues to produce large amounts of smoke and will be highly visible in and around the West Arm of Kootenay Lake.
“With hot and dry conditions forecast through next week the Southeast Fire Centre is urging the public to be vigilant both in their communities and in the back country,” the RDCK release said.
To report a wildfire 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
BC Wildfire Service continues to monitor Harrop-Proctor fire
BC Wildfire Service personnel continue to monitor and develop control strategies for a wildfire 10 kilometers south of Harrop/Proctor on the south side of the West Arm of Kootenay Lake.
The 80-hectare Harrop-Proctor Creek wildfire, which has been burning since Thursday, July 27, poses no threat to any communities or infrastructure at this time and is burning at an elevation of 2,000 metres.
“Initial attack crews were initially dispatched to the fire,” said John Boivin, Fire Information Officer for the Southeast Fire Centre.
“However, because of the steep, rocky and inaccessible location of the fire, they were withdrawn for safety reasons. Instead, crews will try to build a guard further down the mountain, where they can effectively fight the fire on safer ground.”
“Because of the difficult terrain and smoky conditions, air tankers were not able to action the wildfire effectively,” Boivin added. “A heavy-lift helicopter better suited to high-elevation fires has now been dispatched to support local efforts on this fire.”
Boivin said the fire continues to produce large amounts of smoke and will be highly visible in and around the West Arm of Kootenay Lake.
BC Wildfire Services said with hot and dry conditions forecast through next week the Southeast Fire Centre is urging the public to be vigilant both in their communities and in the back country.
“The BC Wildfire Service reminds the public that campfires are prohibited throughout the Southeast Fire Centre and urges the public to abide by these restrictions to reduce the number of human-caused wildfires, which can divert critical resources from naturally occurring wildfires,” the media release said.
To report a wildfire 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
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Harrop-Proctor wildfire continues to burn, smoke highly visible from West Arm of Kootenay Lake
The general public in and around the Heritage City continue to see smoke in the valley from the Harrop-Proctor wildfire, located 10 kilometers south of Proctor.
The wildfire, started by lightning, has grown to 80 hectares, but poses no threat to any communities or infrastructure at this time said the BC Wildfire Service.
“Because of the steep and inaccessible terrain the fire is currently burning in, ground crews cannot safely fight the fire at this time,” the BC Wildfire Service website said.
“Southeast Fire Centre crews are monitoring the fire daily and developing control strategies. At this time, those strategies do not call for air tanker or helicopter resources to be used to fight the fire. That may change in the days ahead, as conditions warrant.”
The BC Wildfire Service website said the fire continues to produce large amounts of smoke and will be highly visible in and around the West Arm of Kootenay Lake. People with respiratory issues may wish to contact their health professionals.
Other wildfires of note include:
- The Desmund Creek wildfire, one kilometre from the north edge of Kokanee Glacier Park, covers about 2.5 hectares. Three BC Wildfire Service personnel are currently on site with the support of three aircraft.
- The Mat Creek wildfire, northeast of Goat Range Park and seven kilometres southwest of Highway 31, covers about 0.1 hectares. A four-person crew is currently working on this fire.
- The 39-hectare Ward-Bloom fire, about 34 kilometres southwest of Baynes Lake just north of the U.S.A. border, experienced no significant growth overnight and currently has 35 personnel on site, supported by five pieces of heavy equipment.
- A 20-hectare fire at Healy Creek is burning about 11 kilometres northeast of Highway 31 and about 15 kilometres west of Duncan Lake. This fire is located in steep terrain and is being closely monitored at this time.
- Information on the Verdant Creek/Parks Canada wildfire can be found on the BC Parks website at: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/mt_assiniboine/
The Southeast Fire Centre is currently experiencing very dry conditions and elevated fire danger ratings, from “high” to “extreme” throughout the region. With hot and dry conditions forecast through the weekend, the Southeast Fire Centre is urging the public to be extra cautious in the backcountry. All human-caused fires are preventable and can divert critical resources from naturally occurring wildfires.
The BC Wildfire Service reminds the public that campfires are prohibited throughout the Southeast Fire Centre.
Smoke from a few fires burning in Washington State may be visible Friday in the Columbia Fire Zone and throughout the Southeast Fire Centre over the weekend. For more information about wildfires burning in the U.S.A. please visit: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/
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 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
