Cooler temperatures, small amounts of rain, and breezes have brought welcome relief from heavy smoke in the Creston Valley.
Wildfires remain a threat, however, with drought conditions still dominating much of the province.
Four fires in areas surrounding Creston continue to burn, but none threaten local residents other than to contribute smoke. At press deadline on Tuesday, reports from the Southeast Fire Centre in Castlegar described the situation in the Blazed Creek, McArthur Creek, Meachen Creek and Randal Creek:
Blazed Creek: Continues to burn to the north of Highway 3 20 km west of Creston. A travel advisory has been in effect for possible sudden closures due to wildfire activity. Representatives from Highways continue to conduct patrol during the day and overnight to monitor for any additional changes. Check www.drivebc.ca for the latest closure information.
The fire covers an estimated 6,051 hectares and threatens infrastructure including Highway 3 and power lines, but does not interface with residential areas. Lightning caused the fire.
McArthur Creek: This interface fire, covering 555 hectares, threatens residential properties.
The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) has upgraded their evacuation alert to an evacuation order for the Sheep Creek Road area southeast of Salmo. For more information on this order please call the RDCK at 250 352-7701 or visit their website at: www.rdck.ca.
This fire is a modified response fire, meaning it 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.
Effective immediately, the Sheep Creek FSR is closed starting at the 5.25 km mark. This includes the Sheep Waldie and Sheep Billing FSRs. No access is permitted on these sections of road. The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) has also issued an additional road closure for the Sheep Creek Road. The Sheep Creek Road is closed at the Aspen Forest Service Road junction. No public access is permitted on further sections of road. Visit the RDCK’s website for further information at: www.rdck.ca.
The fire was caused by lightning.
Meachen Creek: 9,284 hectares are involved in this fire in the Kianuko Provincial Park and Meachen Creek, about 4 km southwest of St. Mary Lake.
On Sunday night, varying amounts of rain were recorded; 2.6 mm was received at the station on the fire, 7 mm at the station south of the fire and 3.8 mm at the station north of the fire. While these amounts are most welcome and will create good fire fighting conditions, drought conditions remain the same.
The fire was caused by lightning.
Randal Creek: Evacuation alerts remain for this 1,030 hectare fire about 17 km southeast of Yahk near the US border.
The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) has issued an evacuation alert for the Yahk, Meadow Creek Road and Highway 3/95 area. For more information on this alert, please call the RDEK at 250 426-2188 or visit their website at rdek.bc.ca.
The fire was caused by lightning.