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BC Wildfire crews continue to face challenges in battling local fires

Nelson Daily Staff
By Nelson Daily Staff
August 21st, 2020

BC Wildfire crews continue to battle a fires in the West Kootenay as the region braces for more inclement weather as the day progresses.

The BC  Wildfire Service interactive map shows five fires out of control — four in the Slocan Valley and the other the Woodbury Creek fire near the Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park.

The Woodbury Creek fire, located in the mountains between Ainsworth and Kaslo above Highway 31, is currently listed at 480 hectares.

Meanwhile, in the Slocan Valley the Talbot Creek fire, located southwest of Winlaw, is the largest of the four fires.

The Talbot Creek fire is now listed at 160 hectares.

Other fires of note include the Airy Creek fire (1.06 hectares), Trozzo Creek (.20 hectares) and Crusader Creek (.80 hectares).

The Winlaw and Crescent Valley Fire Departments are advising that helicopters battling fires in the Slocan Valley will be using the Slocan River to access water for buckets. People are urged to stay clear of the Slocan River to allow helicopters to easily access the river.

In the East Kootenay area of the Southeast Fire Centre, two major fires are keeping BC Wildfire Service crews busy.

The Doctor Creek fire, located approximately 25 kilometres southwest of Canal Flats, is now estimated at 3,000 hectares.

The highly visible, active fire is burning in steep, rocky terrain.

The Regional District of East Kootenay has issued evacuation alerts and orders for local residents.

Near Beaverdell, the Solomon Mountain fire is now under control.

Crews made significant progress in establishing control lines. BC Wildfire crews and heavy equipment continue to reinforce containment lines.

The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary rescinded evacuation alerts for resident in the Beaverdel area Thursday.

Near Penticton, in the Kamloops Fire Centre, the Christie Mountain fire north of Okanagan Falls and on the east side of Skaha Lake is now estimated at 2,000 hectares.

BC Wildfire Service is concerned with the anticipated challenge Friday for winds forecasted out of the south that are expected to be between 20-40 kilometres per hour and could gust up to 70 kilometres per hour.

The Southeast Fire Centre is bracing for the risk of thunderstorms beginning this evening and overnight.

There is a chance to winds gusting between 20-50 km/h, which is a concern to crews fighting fires in the region. The storms could cause more fires in the Southeast Fire Centre that has a fire rating between high and extreme.

The BC Wildfire Service interactive map shows the fires burning in the Southeast Fire Centre. — BC Wildfire Service

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