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Southeast Fire Centre identifies five fires of note in the region

The Nelson Daily Staff
By The Nelson Daily Staff
July 18th, 2021

The Southeast Fire Centre (SEFC) said the region is experiencing unprecedented hot and dry conditions, and combined with below-average spring precipitation, has produced a record number of fire starts in 2021.

Southeast Fire Centre said the reduced precipitation and above seasonal temperatures accelerated the drying of forest fuels at a rate not previously observed, making them highly susceptible to ignition.

The Southeast Fire Centre said the region along with the rest of British Columbia continues to experience unusual weather patterns for this time of year.

“These conditions are currently challenging available firefighting resources within British Columbia, as the rest of Canada and many areas in the United States are facing similar challenging conditions,” the Southeast Fire Centre said.

“This means that some of the provinces and countries that would normally help out during B.C.’s fire season are currently busy fighting their own wildfires and are unable to assist as much as they could under different circumstances.”

There have been 241 fire starts in the Southeast Fire Centre so far in the 2021 fire season, with 65 currently active.

This is above the five-year average of 133 fire starts for this time of year.

The BC Wildfire Service is responding to wildfires on a priority basis within the Southeast Fire Centre.

“The top priority is always human life and safety,” the Southeast Fire Centre media release said.

“The second priority is property. The third priority is the protection of areas with high environmental values including community watersheds and species at risk. The fourth priority is resource values.”

The Southeast Fire Centre is sharing resources for all priority wildfires and responding to incidents accordingly.

There are currently five wildfires of note related to the Cranbrook, Arrow, and Kootenay Lake Zones.

Find daily updates on all Wildfires of Note on the BC Wildfire website, visit: http://www.bcwildfire.ca

Arrow Zone

The Trozzo Creek fire is located about 7.5 kilometers northeast of Winlaw and is estimated to be 742 hectares.

There are no evacuation alerts or orders attached to this fire and structures are not currently threatened.

The Octopus Creek fire  is located about 11 kilometers south of Fauquier and is estimated to be 1,172 hectares.

The Regional District of Central Kootenay has implemented an evacuation order for five properties on the south side of Taite Creek, including the Taite Creek recreation site. An evacuation alert is also in place for 162 properties in the communities of

 Applegrove and Fauquier. For all inquiries on evacuation orders and alerts attached to this incident, visit the Regional District of Central Kootenay at: www.rdck.ca

The Michaud Creek fire is located about 21 kilometers south of Edgewood and is estimated to be 2,500 hectares. The Regional District of Central Kootenay has implemented an evacuation order for two properties in the Cinnamon Lake and Johnson Creek areas. An evacuation alert is also in place for properties in the communities of Edgewood and Needles.

For all inquiries on evacuation orders and alerts attached to this incident, visit the Regional District of Central Kootenay at: www.rdck.ca

Kootenay Lake Zone

The Akokli Creek fire  is located about 7.5 kilometers east of Boswell and is estimated to be 356 hectares. Structures are not immediately threatened at this time. The Regional District of Central Kootenay has implemented an evacuation alert on 244 properties in the communities of Boswell, Destiny Bay, and Sanca. For all inquiries on evacuation alerts attached to this incident, visit the Regional District of Central Kootenay at: www.rdck.ca

Cranbrook Zone

The Bill Nye Mountain fire  is located about seven kilometers southeast of Wasa and is estimated to be 542 hetares. Structures are not immediately threatened at this time. The Regional District of East Kootenay has an evacuation alert is in place for 54 properties in the Lazy Lake, Lakit Lake, Holmes Road, and Wildhorse FSR areas. For all inquiries on evacuation alerts attached to this incident, visit the Regional District of East Kootenay: www.rdek.bc.ca

Southeast Fire Centre said if a wildfire is threatening acommunity, the best information sources around evacuations are your municipality, regional district, band office or local authority. Find out in advance how they’ll share vital information. To find resources to help you prepare for a potential wildfire, visit: www.firesmartbc.ca and www.preparedbc.ca.

To report a wildfire call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone. For the latest information on current wildfire activity and burning or forest restrictions, visit: http://www.bcwildfire.ca

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