A Columbia Valley fire official is praising the response to the Madias Creek wildfire, which sparked up on Monday, July 22, and touched off a number of evacuation orders and alerts in a rural community north of Fairmont Hot Springs.
The wildfire is currently classified as being held, following a significant response by Columbia Valley firefighters and the BC Wildfire Service, which included air tankers and helicopters.
"The size of this fire and the positive outcome is a credit to our strong valley relationships," said Drew Sinclair, Fire Chief with Columbia Valley Rural Fire and Rescue Service, in an open letter. "While the threat was enormous, teamwork prevailed. We are stronger together."
The fire began in an area that only had access from Highway 93/95 at the base; there was no road access for bush trucks or tenders to get around the perimeter, meaning all ground efforts were made on foot with hand tools and hoselines, according to Sinclair.
Fire response from the Columbia Valley Rural Fire and Rescue Service included eight members from Fairmont and 12 members from Windermere with three apparatus each, as well as two command vehicles and two Edgewater members who happened to be in the area.
"For many of our members this was their second call of the day and most of them worked until midnight," said Sinclair. "We kept a small crew overnight for hot spots and to make sure nothing escaped before returning Tuesday morning with 13 members and five apparatus from both Fire Departments to get the fire contained.
"The four members of our RDEK Work Experience Program were a valuable resource bolstering our numbers and quick response."
RCMP conducted a tactical evacuation Monday afternoon, as 27 properties were put on Evacuation Order due to the aggressive fire behaviour, limited egress routes and concern for public safety. Another 46 properties were put on on Evacuation Alert, while the entire Akisqnuk First Nation community also followed suit.
The next day, the Evacuation Order was downgraded to an Evacuation Alert, however, the existing alerts remain in place.
"To the affected evacuees, our heartfelt thanks for your compliance and patience," said Sinclair. "While some of our members on the fire were personally affected by the Alert, I know first-hand the frustration and feelings that accompany leaving your property in the hands of others.
"Your willingness to leave made the difference in the aircraft being able to operate close and fast without compromising the public and their personal safety."
Sinclair also expressed his gratitude to the Akisqnuk First Nation community, the BC Wildfire Service and the RDEK's Emergency Operations Centre staff.
In addition to the Madias Creek fire on Monday afternoon, firefighters also responded to a call for three small grassfires along Westside Road, by Windemere Lake, which were reported by passing cyclists, who helped until firefighters arrived.
Fortunately, these fires were quickly contained and extinguished.
Both these fires and the Madius Creek Wildfire are human-caused, however, it is important to note that human-caused refers to something started as a result of human activity, not necessarily because of negligence.
