Information Bulletin - Wildfires in the RDCK - July 23 Update
July 23, 2024
July 23, 2024
Emergency Operations Centre
8:30PM
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. Since July 17, there have been numerous fire starts in the Southeast Fire Centre. There are currently 109 wildfires in the Southeast Fire Centre, with 2 wildfires of note, and 83 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.
Throughout the RDCK, Environment and Climate Change Canada rescinded their heat warnings although daytime highs are still expected to be between 30 and 36 degrees Celsius for the next two days. Overnight lows will remain warm, ranging from mid-teens to low-20s. Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a Special Air Quality Statement for the RDCK due to wildfire smoke expected to linger for the next 24-48 hours.
Slocan Lake Fires Complex:
Aylwin Creek wildfire, N51065 and Komonko Creek wildfire, N51210
The Aylwin Creek wildfire, South of Silverton, in Electoral Area H is currently listed as a wildfire of note and out of control by BCWS. The wildfire was discovered on Thursday, July 18 and is estimated to be 121 hectares. The suspected cause of the fire is lightning.
Aylwin Creek wildfire BCWS incident details page
On the recommendation of BCWS, the RDCK issued an Evacuation Order on July 18 for 11 properties along Highway 6 in Electoral Area H. This order was expanded on July 19 to include 96 additional properties south of the Village of Silverton in the Red Mountain road area, east of Slocan Lake, near the Highway 6 corridor, bringing the total to 107 properties on Evacuation Order. This Order remains in place; the public is advised the area is not accessible to enter.
The RDCK also issued an Evacuation Alert on Friday, July 19 for the entire Village of Silverton, encompassing 185 properties, and 14 adjacent properties in Electoral Area H. This Alert was expanded on July 23 to include 3 additional properties east of the Village of Silverton in Electoral Area H, bringing the total number of properties on Alert for this fire to 202. Additionally, at 11:35am 17 properties were added to an expanded evacuation Order south of Enterprise Creek to the Slocan lookout, increasing the number of properties on evacuation Order to 125. This alert remains in place and anyone in the affected area must be ready to leave on short notice.
Across Highway 6 from the Aylwin Creek wildfire is another wildfire of note, the Komonko Creek wildfire. First discovered on Friday, July 19, the suspected cause of the wildfire is lightning. The wildfire is estimated at 534 hectares and has been classified as out of control.
Komonko Creek wildfire BCWS incident details page
BCWS current resources on the wildfire include crews, aviation, heavy equipment, and structure protection.
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) has closed 12km of Highway 6 to both North and Southbound traffic. No traffic will be allowed to pass through and there is still no estimate for when the highway may reopen. For more information visit www.drivebc.ca.
Nemo Creek N51103
The Nemo Creek 1 and 2 wildfires were discovered on the west shore of Slocan Lake on Thursday, July 18 in Electoral Area H. The fires merged and BCWS is now referring to this fire as Nemo Creek. BCWS update from July 23 has the fire is estimated to be 823ha in size. The cause of this fire is suspected to be lightning.
Nemo Creek wildfire BCWS incident details page
On the recommendation of the BCWS, the RDCK issued an Evacuation Order on Thursday, July 19 for 21 waterfront parcels on the west shore of Slocan lake in Electoral Area H, and a small portion of Valhalla Provincial Park. This Order remains in place and the public is advised the area is not accessible to enter. We ask that you respect this order and follow the signage that has been placed along the shore of the area under Order. A BCWS structure protection specialist has assessed the properties in the area and a plan has been developed for cabins on the west side of the lake that structure protection crews can implement when triggered.
Mulvey Creek N51117
The Mulvey Creek Wildfire was discovered southwest of the Village of Slocan, bordering Valhalla Provincial Park in Electoral Area H on July 18. The fire originated at high elevation in challenging terrain and has grown to 210ha as of July 23 BCWS update provided at 2:53pm. Structure protection crews continue to deploy structure protection on areas of concern. Structure protection apparatus are continuing assessment, testing and monitoring. Helicopters are being used for reconnaissance and water delivery.
Mulvey Creek wildfire BCWS incident details page
On the recommendation of the BCWS, the RDCK issued and Evacuation Alert on Sunday, July 21 at 11:45am, for 16 properties southwest of the Village of Slocan, in Electoral Area H. This alert was escalated to an Evacuation Order at 5:36pm on July 21 and this Order remains in place and residents and visitors in the affected Evacuation Order area must leave immediately.
Ponderosa N51069
The Ponderosa wildfire was discovered southeast of the Village of Slocan, north of Lemon Creek in Electoral Area H on July 19. This fire is in steep and rocky terrain and BCWS has a heavy equipment team to construct a machine guard to protect properties. BCWS update on July 23 estimates this fire to be 200ha in size.
N51069 wildfire BCWS incident details page
On the recommendation of the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has issued an Evacuation Alert on Sunday, July 21 at 3:07pm, for 190 properties east of the Village of Slocan and south beyond Lemon Creek in Electoral Area H due to the Ponderosa wildfire (N51069). This Alert was expanded on July 23 at 08:30 to include 150 addresses in Electoral Area H and the entire Village of Slocan, encompassing 208 addresses. The 150 parcels are divided between Enterprise Creek and North of the Village of Slocan, and the West side of the Slocan River, South of the Village of Slocan. With the expansion of this alert there are now 548 properties under Evacuation Alert due to the Ponderosa wildfire. At 11:35am 17 properties were escalated to an Evacuation Order due to the Aylwin Creek wildfire, which is currently active North of the Ponderosa Fire. This alert remains in place and anyone in the affected area must be ready to leave on short notice.
Argenta Creek Cluster wildfires, N71058, N71084, and N71088
The storm system that moved through the region on Wednesday, July 17 was responsible for starting a cluster of five fires located in the Argenta Creek area, located on the east shore at the north end of Kootenay Lake in Electoral Area D. Some of these fires have merged and the BCWS is no longer listing N71083 on the BC Wildfire map. Fire N71089 is now being listed as under control and will be removed from this report going forward. The terrain poses a challenge to suppression strategies and BCWS is focusing on an indirect attack approach. Heavy equipment and crews have been working on establishing a machine guard on the West flank of the fire at the base of the mountain that will tie into the Argenta Creek draw. Aviation resources, including skimmers, airtankers using retardant and helicopters have been supporting ground crews in suppression efforts.
Fire behavior is expected to increase with the winds, causing this cluster of fires to become more visible to surrounding areas.
N71058 wildfire BCWS incident details page
N71084 wildfire BCWS incident details page
N71088 wildfire BCWS incident details page
BC Parks has proactively closed the Earl Grey Pass trailhead due to the proximity of the two of the wildfires in this cluster.
Lower Meadow Mountain N71101
The Lower Meadow Mountain wildfire was discovered on July 18 east of highway 31, and south of Meadow Creek and is estimated to be 51ha in size. A heavy equipment strike team is establishing a machine guard at the base of Meadow Mountain. This guard will act as both a fire control line and an anchor point for crews to work from should fire behaviour or objectives require. This fire was active overnight and into the morning, and the fire remained within the control lines despite increased activity. Crews are on site today putting in hand guard on areas that were unactionable for equipment. Machine guard on the East and West flank are complete.
Lower Meadow Mountain BCWS incident details page
Glacier Creek Area N71098
Fire N71098 is the area of Glacier Creek. This fire is listed at 35Ha on the BCWS map as of the last update provided on July 21. BCWS has put an Area Restriction in place for the Mount Lavina area at this time. However, both the Duncan FSR and Glacier Creek FSR remain open
N71098 BCWS incident details page
General Information
For more information on the wildfire refer to BCWS Wildfires website, BCWS Facebook and BCWS X.
Visit www.rdck.ca/eocinfo for the complete details of all current evacuation orders and alerts. Affected residents with any questions can contact the RDCK Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at 250-352-7701.
Be Prepared
Now is the time to prepare for a potential evacuation. Follow the links below for valuable resources on how to make an emergency plan and prepare your grab and go bag. This includes preparing for your animals and livestock to be relocated. Residents in affected Evacuation Alert areas are encouraged to make arrangements to stay with friends and family in the event of an Evacuation Order.
Sign up for the RDCK Emergency Notification system and become FireSmart by having a FREE FireSmart assessment done on your home.
EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS
- In case of emergency dial 911
- RDCK Emergency Operations Centre Inquiry Line 250.352.7701
- BC Wildfire 1.800.663.5555 or *5555
- BC Hydro 1.800.224.9376
- Fortis BC 1.866.436.7847
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The content on this page was last updated July 23 2024 at 1:35 PM