Friday night’s thunder storms resulted in 44 wildfires in the Southeast Fire Centre area.
The largest was an eight hectare fire burning two kilometers south of Silverton, near the base of Mount Aylwin. In response, BC Wildfire Service crews, helicopters, and airtankers were dispatched and the Regional District of Central Kootenay issued an evacuation alert.
There are at least six other fires in the surrounding area. One is near China Creek, three kilometers west of Castlegar, and is estimated at .7 hectares.
Another, this one estimated at .4 hectares, is burning near Nemo Creek, two kilometers off the west shore of Slocan Lake.
And finally, there are four small fires across Low Arrow Lake from Deer Park.
BC Wildfire Services are battling the fires as best they can, calling in contract crews, industry partners, and local fire crews, but due to the high number of wildfires across BC, resources are limited.
More thunderstorms are expected throughout the weekend.
