Modified Response Fires Burning in the Southeast Fire Centre
By Contributor
In the 2021 fire season, there have been 209 fires in the Southeast Fire Centre, with 69 fires currently active. The BC Wildfire Service is aware of these fires and is prioritizing and responding to them accordingly.
BC Wildfire Service response officers have assessed and classified some of these fires as modified response or “monitor fires” based on a mix of factors including but not limited to, challenges to crew safety, distance from communities, and inoperable terrain.
Once a fire has been classified as modified response, a fire analysis is developed. This analysis will identify trigger points that will prompt officers to reassess the fire and put a predetermined suppression plan in place.
Modified response fires will be monitored daily either by remote camera or flown by experienced officers. These fires are not threatening structures at this time.
See below for a list of visible modified response fires organized by zone. A map of the affected areas is available here: http://ow.ly/UlFf50Fvf0i
Cranbrook Zone
The Redding Creek fire (N11795) is about 14 kilometres northeast of the community of Boswell. This fire is producing smoke that may be visible to Boswell, surrounding areas, and those travelling on highway 3A. It is estimated to be 100 hectares in size and is not currently threatening structures.
Columbia Zone
The Carrol Creek fire (N41221) is located about50 kilometres north of the town of Golden. This fire is producing smoke that is highly visible to motorists traveling on highway 1 north of Golden. It is currently estimated to be 98 hectares in size and is not currently threatening structures.
The Blackwater Ridge fire (N41804) is located about 35 kilometres north of the town of Golden. This fire is producing smoke that is highly visible to motorists traveling on highway 1 north of Golden. It is currently estimated to be 40 hectares in size and is not currently threatening structures.
Arrow Zone
The Mount Ruppel fire (N51724) is located about 14 kilometres east of the community of Slocan. This fire is producing smoke that may be visible from Slocan, Winlaw, Nelson and surrounding areas, as well as motorists traveling on highway 6 in the area. It is currently estimated to be 130 hectares in size and is not currently threatening structures.
The Kimbol fire (N51734) is located about 10 kilometres east of the community of Nakusp. This fire is producing smoke that may be visible from Nakusp and surrounding areas, as well as to motorists traveling on highway 6 and highway 23 in the area. It is currently estimated to be 47 hectares in size and is not currently threatening structures.
The Octopus Creek fire (N51800) is located about 34 kilometres west of the community of Passmore. This fire is producing smoke that may be visible from Passmore and surrounding areas, as well as to motorists traveling on highway 6 in the area. It is currently estimated to be 25 hectares in size and is not currently threatening structures.
Boundary Zone
The Gladstone Park fire (N61687) is about 34 kilometres north of the community of Christina Lake in the Gladstone Park. The fire is producing smoke that is visible from the community of Christina Lake and surrounding areas. It is currently estimated to be 14 hectares in size and is not currently threatening structures.
Kootenay Lake Zone
The Cultus Creek fire (N71245) is located about 35 kilometres northwest of the Town of Creston. This fire is producing smoke that may be visible Nelson, Creston and surrounding areas, as well as to motorists traveling on highway 3A and highway 6 in the area. It is currently estimated to be 460 hectares in size and is not currently threatening structures.
The Akokli Creek fire (N71686) is located about 7.5 kilometres east of the community of Boswell. This fire is producing smoke that may be visible to Boswell, surrounding areas, and those travelling on highway 3A. It is estimated to be 95 hectares in size and is not currently threatening structures.
The Kamma Creek (N71743) fire is located approximately 32 kilometres northeast of the town of Creston and is burning in high terrain in the goat creek drainage. This fire is producing smoke that may be visible to those travelling on highway 95. It is estimated to be 140 hectares in size and is not currently threatening structures.
Fire is a natural, normal process in many ecosystems and is necessary to maintain a healthy forest as well as the diversity of plant and animal life. Many plants and animals have not only adapted to fire but actually depend on it, like the lodgepole pine which needs fire to help disperse its seeds.
Naturally occurring fires also help to keep insects and disease under control by killing the pathogens infecting a stand. This is critical given that in recent years more than five times as much timber in B.C. has been lost to insects and disease than has been consumed by wildfire.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone. For the latest information on current wildfire activity and burning restrictions, visit:
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