Smoke on the water caused by weather pattern, no new fires to report
By Nelson Daily Staff
The good news is the Southeast Fire Centre reports that there are no new fires in the area.
The bad news, is Sunday smoke continues to plague the valley, causing numerous phone calls to Nelson Fire Rescue for answers.
Nelson Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Mike Daloise said in a media release Sunday, the station was flooded with calls after smoke filtered over Nelson during the late morning.
“Nelson Fire and Rescue has been fielding a large number of calls from the public with concerns about the volume of smoke that has reappeared in the area,” he said.
“Nelson Fire and Rescue has been in contact with the Southeast Fire Centre and has been informed that there are no new fires in the area. They are indicating that the smoke is a result of the current weather pattern which is preventing the local smoke from venting effectively, as well as smoke coming in from other areas.”
BC Wildfire Service firefighters have been getting the upper hand on most fires in the West Kootenay region.
Friday, the Regional District of Central Kootenay Emergency Operations Centre was able to rescind the Evacuation Alert posed by the McCormick Creek wildfire southwest of Salmo.
The decision allowed residents to relax a little as the Alert was rescinded as of 6:00 p.m. on Friday, August 25, 2017.
Last week, Tuesday, August 22, the latest wildfire to affect the Southeast Fire Centre, Mount Robinson located 18 kilometres southwest of Newgate (65 kilometres southeast of Cranbrook) started due to lightning.
BC Wildfire Centre said this 344-hectare fire is burning within one kilometre south of the Canada/USA border within the USA.
BC Wildfire Centre said smoke is highly visible from Newgate, Lake Koocanusa and surrounding areas and the US Forest Service is currently fighting this fire with air support including airtankers.
All rescue services would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to remain vigilant and to call 911 immediately if a fire is spotted.
