Lightning caused wildfires lead to evacuation orders, road closures in Slocan Valley
By The Nelson Daily Staff
Road closures and evacuation orders and alerts — wildfires from a recent thunderstorm continue to raise havoc on residents in the Slocan Valley.
The most recent cause for concern comes from the Mulvey Creek region of the Slocan Valley as the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), on recommendation of the BC Wildfire Service, has issued an Evacuation Order for 16 properties due to the Mulvey Creek wildfire, which is part of the Slocan Lake Complex.
The wildfire is located west of the Village of Slocan on the southern edge of Valhalla Provincial Park in Electoral Area H.
ADDRESSES (11)
- 7300 Mulvey Creek Road
- 7315 Mulvey Creek Road
- 7555 Mulvey Creek Road
- 7780 Mulvey Creek Road
- 7995 Mulvey Creek Road
- 6000 Mulvey Creek Way
- 6005 Mulvey Creek Way
- 7255 Little Slocan FSR
- 7613 Little Slocan FSR
- 7650 Little Slocan FSR
- 8745 Slocan West Road
Earlier Sunday, the RDCK EOC issued an Evacuation Alert for 190 properties east of the Village of Slocan and south beyond Lemon Creek in Electoral Area H due to the Ponderosa wildfire, initially discovered on July 18.
The Evacuation Alert covers the following properties that can be seen by clicking this link.
The Ponderosa wildfire is part of the Slocan Lake Fire Complex.
The RDCK EOC also issue an evacuation order and alert for properties in the area Aylwin Creek wildfire.
The Aylwin Creek (121 hectares) and Komonko Creek (534 hectares) are burning on both sides of Highway 6 south of Silverton.
See the RDCK website for more information and a list of properties.
The danger associated with the Aylwin Creek and Komonko Creek fires has closed 11.5 kilometers of Highway 6 to traffic for both local and responder safety. Anyone travelling in this area can detour on Highway 31A, Highway 31 and Highway 3A with an additional one hour driving time.
The RDCK EOC followed that decision up with an Evacuation Order on Thursday, July 19 for 21 waterfront parcels on the west shore of Slocan lake in Electoral Area H, and a small portion of Valhalla Provincial Park due to the the Nemo Creek 1 and 2 wildfires that have now merged and is estimated at 823ha in size.
Closer to Nelson, the Eagle Creek wildfire, located above Blewett, west of the City of Nelson in Electoral Area E, is now considered Being Held by BC Wildfire Service.
- Hoselay is wrapped around the perimeter of the fire and a wetline is complete.
- Aviation resources have completed objectives but will be available to support if required.
- Crews are on site mopping up and patroling the perimeter.
Late Sunday, the BC Wildfire Service continues to respond to a wildfire east of Meadow Creek and has placed an area restriction is now in effect within the Mt. Lavina area.
Located about 7.5 km northeast of the community of Meadow Creek, and about 5 km east of Highway 31, the Mt. Lavina fire is estimated to be 35 hectares.
In the interest of public and responder safety, an area restriction is now in effect within the Mt. Lavina area:
- Commencing at the junction of Duncan River FSR and Glacier Creek Point 1 (50° 17.044’ -116° 55.285′),
- following Glacier Creek to where Mcleod Creek enters Glacier Creek Point 2 (50° 18.873′, -116° 52.893′),
- ascending Mcleod Creek draw to Point 3 (50° 16.916′, -116° 51.263′),
- continuing south roughly along the height of land,
- tying into the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Park boundary and following the boundary until a point at Point 4 (50° 16.022′, -116° 52.650′),
- following due west to the Duncan River FSR Point 5(50° 16.179′, -116° 55.078′)
- following the east edge of the Duncan River FSR right-of-way back to point of commencement.
Currently there are 97 wildfires burning — two Wildfires of Note — in the Southeast Fire Centre, which stretches from the U.S. border to Mica Dam and from the Okanagan Highlands/west side of the Monashee Mountains to the B.C./Alberta border.
In BC, there are 318 wildfires burning and four Wildfires of Note.
A three-week heat wave continues with more hot and dry conditions expected to continue for most of the province.
