The Mount Midgely fire northwest of Creston is 50 per cent contained, according to bcwildfire.ca, and crews have been taking precautions for strong southwest wind gusts over 30 km/h (according to www.theweathernetwork.com) expected this evening.
“Today, crews are working on a sprinkler line at the extreme north end of the fire in prevision of today’s expected wind and mopping up the perimeter of the fire,” said the report on the website.
Sixty firefighters, five helicopters and nine pieces of heavy equipment were involved in firefighting activity today.
South of the border, Porthill residents were asked around 2 p.m. to voluntarily evacuate due to the expected wind.
“A red flag warning is in effect which has the potential to create extreme fire behavior,” says inciweb.nwcg.gov. “Residents are asked to voluntarily leave the area and go to family or friends, especially those with special needs, pets, livestock or those needing transportation assistance.”
In anticipation of today’s winds, farmers and firefighters executed a controlled burn of stubble fields near the fire, which spread quickly across fields last Friday, jumping the Kootenay River twice.
