Both a campfire ban and a smoky skies advisory for the Creston Valley were lifted today.
Wet weather over the weekend prompted the Ministry of Environment and Interior Health Authority to lift the smoky skies advisory that had been in place in southern areas of the Kootenay and Boundary regions since Aug. 20, later widening to cover the entire regions Aug. 24.
“While some wildfires remain active, the weather system that is moving through the region, accompanied by rain and high winds, has reduced the amount of smoke and improved air quality,” said today’s announcement. “These conditions are expected to continue over the next few days.”
As of today, the 480-hectare Mount Midgely fire northwest of Creston remained active, but was 95 per cent contained. Nearly three dozen firefighters and one helicopter were working on the blaze ignited by lightning on Aug. 14.
South of the border, Idaho’s 2,500-hectare Parker Ridge fire, visible from the Creston Valley, is 27 per cent contained, with over 80 firefighters battling the wildfire that started July 29.
The rescinding of the campfire ban in the Southesst Fire Centre’s jurisdiction means that campfires no larger than a half-metre wide by a half-metre high, and open fires in an outdoor stove are again allowed.
“Anyone who lights a campfire must have a hand tool (such as a shovel) or at least eight litres of water available to fully extinguish it,” said the notice from the BC Wildlife Service.
Backyard burning and open fires remain prohibited.
For more information on burning restrictions, visit bcwildfire.ca.
