UPDATED: Smoke from Woodbury Creek wildfire visible from Kaslo, Nelson and surrounding areas
By Nelson Daily Staff
In a media release, the Southeast Fire Centre said BC Wildfire Service continues to respond to the Woodbury Creek wildfire (N71114), on the eastern edge of Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park, south-west of Kaslo.
The Southeast Fire Centre said the fire is producing a large column of smoke this afternoon which is highly visible from Kaslo, Nelson and surrounding areas.
“The fire is currently estimated to be 150 hectares in size,” the media release said.
“BC Wildfire Service personnel are on site, with the aid of helicopters. This fire is not impacting any communities or structures at this time. It is burning in steep and difficult terrain that is unsafe for crews to action directly.”
The fire was first discovered Saturday, August 15 and is a modified response fire, which means it monitored closely and is managed using a combination of suppression techniques, including direct and indirect attack, and monitoring to steer, contain and otherwise manage fire activity within pre-determined perimeters.
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: http://www.bcwildfire.ca
BC Wildfire Service monitors fire southwest of Kaslo
The BC Wildfire Service is responding to a fire in the Woodbury Creek drainage, on the eastern edge of Kokanee Glacier Provincial park.
The Woodbury Creek wildfire, located southwest of Kaslo, started by lightning Saturday.
The fire has grown to an estimated size of 5-50 hectares.
BC Wildfire Service said due to the extreme geography and responder safety, the fire has been moved to a modified response.
“This response type has been applied to actively manage fire activity and responder safety,” a BC Wildfire Twitter feed said.
BC Wildfire said plumes of smoke may be seen in the region, especially from Kaslo down Highway 31 to Ainsworth.
However, BC Wildfire said the fire currently poses no threat to the surrounding communities.
The other wildfire of interest is the Crusader Creek fire, located 11 kilometers east of Slocan in the Crusader Creek drainage.
BC Wildfire said this fire is estimated at 0.5 hectares with smoke visible east near Riondel and west near Slocan.
There are currently 11 wildfires burning in the Southeast Fire Centre, which extends 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 — which has several provincial parks including Valhalla, Kokanee Glacier, Top of the World and Elk Lakes.
