Wildfire update – Evacuation alert for GF south of Kettle and Christina Lake Ponderosa and Cascade areas

Evacuation alert as of 2pm Wednesday (Aug. 26); check with RDKB.com and twitter

Stickpin fire information meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 26:

Grand Forks @ 6pm at Grand Forks Secondary School

Christina Lake @ 8pm at Christina Lake Community Hall

An evacuation Alert has been issued for areas of Electoral Area D south of the Kettle River and south of the City of Grand Forks. It does include the Industrial/Ruckle area.

Ponderosa and Cascade areas of Electoral Area C are also under Evacuation Alert. This is an Evacuation Alert, not an Evacuation Order, no residents are directed to evacuate at this time. This alert is in response to the Stickpin fire in Washington.

Stickpin fire –  5km south of US/Canada border

19,750 Ha, 17% contained

There was growth on the north west side of the fire on

Tuesday August 25th. Crews worked on containing this growth.

The smokey conditions in the area may limit aircraft and ground crew operations

over the next several days.

In the event that the BC Wildfire Service provides air support to this fire, it is likely that Christina Lake would be used as a water source for amphibious

skimmer aircraft.

Boaters can help with suppression efforts by immediately proceeding to the nearest shore if they see a plane approaching the water.

 

 

Paulson Pass – 15km NE of Christina Lake/West of Highway 3

320 Ha, 80%

Crews are continuing to mop-up on the western and north flanks.

 

Lynch Creek – 25km north of Grand Forks

150 Ha, 15%

 

Today crews are working on containment of the east flank.

This fire is currently not threatening any structures or communities, however smoke from this fire is visible to the residents in the North Fork region.

 

 

 

Rock Creek – west of Rock Creek

4,534 Ha, 75% contained

Smokey conditions are heavy in the Midway, Greenwood and Rock Creek areas. Much of the smoke is originating from fires in Washington State.

BC Wildfire Service crews worked with structural protection firefighters from throughout the region to protect life and property in the area. As well, Fire Service officials and structural protection teams provided information on

FireSmart for Rock Creek area residents.

 

The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary has completed an assessment of damage in the area and has confirmed that 30 homes and additional 15 structures have been damaged or destroyed.

 

Evacuation Alert is in effect.

The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary has downgraded all areas under Evacuation Order to Evacuation Alert, effective at 7:00 pm August 19th. Highway

33 is open as of August 21st at 6:00pm.

 

For more information on these closures and alerts, please visit: http://www.rdkb.com

 

 

Grand Forks Gazette