Wildfire near Galena Bay sparks Evacuation Alert
By Nelson Daily Staff
The Columbia Shuswap Regional District issues two evacuation alerts – one for the Galena Bay area and another for Heather Lodge and the surrounding area — after two wildfires increased in size.
“A Wildfire burning southeast of Galena Bay has brought a potential safety risk,” the Columbia Shuswap Regional District said in a media release.
“Because of the potential danger to life and health, the Revelstoke and Area Management Program has issued an Evacuation Alert for the following areas — Galena Bay near Highway 23 and 31.”
The BC Wildfire Service said the Galena wildfire is about five kilometres east of Galena Bay and covers about 120 hectares, as of the afternoon of Aug. 5, 2017. Galena Bay is 57 kilometers north of Nakusp and 69 kilometres south of Revelstoke.
There are currently 14 BC Wildfire Service personnel are working on this lightning-caused fire, supported by two helicopters and two pieces of heavy equipment. This fire is highly visible from the Galena Bay area and Highway 23.
For more information about this alert, call the Columbia Shuswap Regional District at 250 805-2020, or visit: http://www.csrd.bc.ca
The other fire of note in the Southeast Fire Centre is the Mountain Creek fire.
The BC Wildfire Service is working in conjunction with Parks Canada on the 1,583-hectare Mountain Creek fire that’s burning in Glacier National Park.
Friday (August 4) embers from this fire blew across a containment line and started another fire. Crews are working to contain this eight-hectare spot fire with the aid of air support and heavy equipment.
For more information on the Mountain Creek fire and others fires burning in Glacier National Park, please visit the Parks Canada website at: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/glacier
Closer to Nelson, the Harrop Creek fire is now estimated at 1548 hectares with 44 firefighters battling the blaze with the assistance of three helicopters and three pieces of heavy equipment.
Crews continues to work on building a fire guard with the blaze continuing to produce large amounts of smoke that is highly visible in and around the West Arm of Kootenay Lake.
For the latest wildfire news:
* On Twitter: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo
* On Facebook: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo
