More than 1600 lightning strikes leads to spike in Southeast Fire Centre fires
By Southeast Fire Centre
A number of small troughs have passed through the Southeast Fire Centre since the evening of July 17. In the past week, over 1600 lightning strikes have been recorded, resulting in 126 new fires in the region.
Ground crews, aviation resources, heavy equipment, and structure protection teams have been working on clusters of fires throughout the Southeast Fire Centre. Current and emerging fires are assessed and responded to in a priority sequence, starting with fires that are in or have the potential to impact the wildland urban interface or critical infrastructure.
Since yesterday evening, atmospheric instability has increased wind in many areas of the Southeast Fire Centre. Increased winds, combined with low relative humidity and current fuel conditions, have caused fires to become more active and visible to surrounding areas.
To date, evacuation orders and/or alerts have been issued in the vicinity of wildfires in the Arrow, Kootenay Lake, Columbia and Invermere zones. Alerts and orders are issued to residents by local governments, based on recommendations from the BC Wildfire Service. As wildfires are dynamic and evolving, officers in the Southeast remain in regular contact with local governments and ministry partners on matters of public safety.
Highway 6 is closed between the communities of Silverton and Slocan as a result of the Aylwin Creek and Komonoko Creek wildfires, with no current estimated time of reopening. While this is currently the only road closure, there are a number of wildfires in the vicinity of transportation corridors in the Southeast Fire Centre. People are encouraged to check drivebc.ca before traveling.
As fires become more active so does the need to protect public and responder safety. Area restrictions are now in effect for the Mount Lavina (N71098), Dry Creek (N41079), and Blaeberry River (N41259), wildfires. Additional area restrictions are being considered and can be implemented quickly if required. Some provincial parks and recreation areas have been closed.
Before traveling check the bans and restrictions page on bcwildfire.ca, BC Parks, or rec sites and trails, to see if the area you are traveling to is restricted or closed. If you are recreating in the backcountry, practice preparedness and make sure you have a communications method with you, such as a satellite phone.
An incident management team from Australia has been deployed to the region and have taken command of the Slocan Lake complex, including the Aylwin Creek, Komonoko Creek, Nemo Creek, Ponderosa FSR, Mulvey wildfires (and others) beginning July 23rd.
We would like to sincerely thank residents in the Southeast Fire Centre, for their kindness, resilience, and desire to help during this evolving week. We have been inundated with offers of food, shelter, and cold drinks. As government representatives we are unable to accept gifts, but messages of support and kind words for firefighters are always welcome.
The Southeast Fire Centre extends from the U.S. border in the south to 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.
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, burning restrictions, road closures and air-quality advisories, visit: bcwildfire.ca, BC Wildfire Map or download the BC Wildfire App.
