Information Bulletin - August 12, 2024

August 12, 2024

Emergency Operations Centre
3:30 PM PST

*Updates include the Evacuation Order downgraded to an Evacuation Alert for the Village of Slocan and surrounding area in Electoral Area H. Evacuation Order downgraded to an Evacuation Alert for the remainder or properties due to the Komonko Creek wildfire. Evacuation Order downgraded to an Evacuation Alert for properties impacted by the Nemo Creek wildfire and Evacuation Alert rescinded for the Howser Ridge 3 wildfire.

Currently there are two Evacuation Orders remaining in the RDCK.

  • Evacuation Order for 1 address and nine parcel identifiers due to Mulvey Creek wildfire
  • Evacuation Order for 1 address due to Argenta Creek wildfire

The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) remains in regular communication with BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) to monitor the fires within the region. There are currently 97 wildfires in the Southeast Fire Centre, with 3 wildfires of note, and 67 listed as out of control. This is a dynamic situation that can change hourly, so residents are encouraged to be prepared and follow the BCWS website and the RDCK website for the most accurate and up to date information.

Road Closures

The Duncan FSR and Glacier Creek FSR on the west side of Duncan Lake remains on Evacuation Order and CLOSED. Both roads are blocked by debris from the wildfire. As a result, Duncan Island residents, can only access their homes by boat.

Highway 6 is now open. Due to continued maintenance on the road by crews there is some single alternating traffic at times. Check out https://www.drivebc.ca/ for the latest details.

Returning Home After an Evacuation Order

The RDCK advises all residents to read through the information in this re-entry document on what to do when you return home after a wildfire.

For those residents who lost power for a significant period of time, they could be returning home to fridges and freezers full of spoiled food. Some homeowners may also find their fridges and freezers have stopped working, due to blown compressors as a result of power surges when power returns. Read this document for more information on how to remove food and prepare your fridge or freezer, as well as instruction on how to minimize wildlife attraction.

The RDCK will be offering free collection service for spoiled food and damaged refrigeration units for residents between Red Mountain Road South and 3 km north of the Village of Slocan in Electoral Area H. Pick up begins at 9:00 am on Tuesday, August 13. Read this document for more information on how to remove food and prepare your fridge or freezer, as well as instruction on how to minimize wildlife attraction.

The Christian Aid Ministry has kindly made themselves available to offer help to residents returning home due to the Komonko Creek wildfire. For residents between the southern entrance of Red Mountain Road and 3km north of the Village of Slocan who need some help moving refrigerators, freezers or spoiled food from their house to the curb OR if you are located on Red Mountain Road, and missed the free pick up service on Saturday and Sunday, you can call the Christian Aid Ministry and request assistance (i.e., they will take it to the landfill for you), call 250.254.2417.

Emergency Support Services (ESS) Information:

With the downgrading of Evacuation Orders to Evacuation Alerts today, the RDCK has 11 properties remaining on Evacuation Order. As a result we will be closing our ESS locations over the next 24 hours. The location in New Denver is now closed and the location in Castlegar will be open for just one more day (Tuesday, August 13) to provide further assistance to those residents who might need it. If you are on Evacuation Order, go to ess.gov.bc.ca to create a profile and register with ESS or visit our ESS site in Castlegar (see operating hours below). If you require more assistance from ESS, please call ESS support at 1.800.387.4258.

ONLY THOSE RESIDENTS ON EVACUATION ORDER ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ESS. If you are on Evacuation Alert and voluntarily evacuate, you will not receive support at an ESS location.

Residents currently on ESS are reminded, whether they registered online or in person, they need to renew their ESS before it expires. If you do not renew, your ESS supports will stop. Only support for food and accommodation can be renewed. Incidentals and clothing are a one-time support provided per evacuee per event.

Current ESS location for residents on Evacuation Order are:

Selkirk College Castlegar Campus, 301 Frank Beinder Way

The reception centre hours are:
August 13 – 10:00 am to 2:00 pm*
* This will be the final day

Temporary Access Permit (TAP)

Temporary Access Permits (TAP) are restricted to the following:

  • Critical Infrastructure or utility agencies may require access in order to service (i.e. refuel, inspect) or make repairs to affected critical equipment and sites;
  • Members of the agriculture sector or residents that may need to make essential repairs to fencing, feed, or evacuate livestock, or tend to essential crops;
  • Community members may request access so they can retrieve important documents or supplies (ex. medications, business items), or tend to their domestic animals.

Applicants who have applied for a TAP will be notified whether their application has been approved or denied the evening prior to their requested date of entry by email. If you have applied for a TAP, please anticipate receiving an email from the RDCK EOC.

Temporary Access Permit Application

Temporary Access Permit Guidelines

Slocan Lake Complex wildfire

The Slocan Lake Complex includes the Komonko Creek wildfire, Mulvey Creek wildfire, Nemo Creek wildfire, and Ponderosa wildfire. A complex is created when multiple wildfires are managed by a single Incident Management Team, and resources and equipment are shared between all incidents in the complex.

As of August 3, the Aylwin Creek and Komonko Creek wildfires merged at Enterprise Creek and moving forward are referred under the Komonko Creek wildfire.

Area Restriction details updated August 12: Slocan Lake Complex Area Restriction.

Residents are encouraged to contact the BCWS Information Officer with any questions regarding the Slocan Lake Complex wildfire: BCWS.Slocan.Information@gov.bc.ca

Komonko Creek wildfire, N51210 (merged with Aylwin Creek wildfire N51065)

On the recommendation of the BCWS the RDCK EOC has downgraded the Evacuation Order to an Evacuation Alert for all properties impacted by the Komonko Creek wildfire. Click for more details:

Nemo Creek wildfire, N51103

On the recommendation of the BCWS the RDCK EOC has downgraded the Evacuation Order to an Evacuation Alert. Click for more details:

Mulvey Creek wildfire, N51117

On the recommendation of the BCWS the RDCK EOC has downgraded the Evacuation Order to an Evacuation Alert. Click for more details:

Ponderosa wildfire, N51069

On the recommendation of the BCWS the RDCK EOC has downgraded the Evacuation Order to an Evacuation Alert. Click for more details:

Lavina Complex

The Lavina Complex includes the Argenta Creek wildfire, Lower Meadow Mountain wildfire, and Howser Ridge 3 wildfire.

Argenta Creek wildfire, N71058 (merged with Glacier Creek wildfire, N71098)

On the recommendation of the BCWS the RDCK EOC has downgraded the Evacuation Order to an Evacuation Alert for the community Argenta. Just one home on Glacier Creek Road and the Glacier Creek Regional Park remain on Evacuation Order. Please click for:

On July 27 BCWS merged the Glacier Creek wildfire information with the Argenta Creek wildfire.

Area Restriction details for Argenta Creek area

Howser Ridge 3, N71144

On the recommendation of the BCWS the RDCK EOC has rescinded the Evacuation Alert due to this fire. Click for details:

Area restriction details for Howser Ridge 3

General Information

For more information on the wildfires refer to BCWS website, BCWS Facebook and BCWS X.

Visit www.rdck.ca/eocinfo for the complete details of all current evacuation orders and alerts. Follow the RDCK on Facebook and X. Affected residents with any questions can contact the RDCK Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at 250-352-7701.

Click here to view a print-friendly PDF version.

The content on this page was last updated August 12 2024 at 8:34 AM

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