UPDATE: Seventeen firefighters and a helicopter are working to contain a large wildfire east of Fernie, with a guard built in priority areas.
About 12.40 p.m. Sunday, BC Wildfire Service issued an update on the Coal Creek Forest Service Road fire, which remains at 713ha and is approximately 12km east of Fernie.
Ground crews and heavy equipment have been working on containment with the support of a helicopter.
“(A) guard has been built in priority areas,” read the update.
“Crews have successfully reinforced guard with small scale hand ignition operations.”
The fire is currently not threatening communities. Several road closures remain in place, visit BC Wildfire Service for more information.
Meanwhile, Elkford Fire Rescue has reassured residents fires burning in the area are not a threat.
“There are no concerns with the fires burning around Elkford,” said the organization in a Facebook post on Sunday afternoon.
“The cooler temperatures have been helping with fire suppression activities.”
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There has been little change to the fire situation in the Elk Valley, according to BC Wildfire Service.
Nine fires are listed as active on the agency’s interactive fire map, including the Coal Creek Forest Service Road fire, which is a Wildfire of Note and remains at 713ha.
Visibility is poor in the Elk Valley and a smoky skies bulletin remains in effect.
People with pre-existing health conditions, the elderly, infants, children and sensitive individuals are more likely to experience health effects from smoke exposure.
Click here for more information, including tips to reduce smoke exposure.
The Regional District of East Kootenay will hold volunteer training sessions in Cranbrook today to help communities affected by fires at Meachen and Ta Ta creeks.
Those interested will learn the basic skills needed to assist at an Emergency Social Services Reception Centre and about current volunteer opportunities available to support wildfire evacuees.
The vounteer training is being held at the Manual Training Center (Cranbrook Library, 1212 2nd Street North) at 11am and 7pm today.
Each session lasts approximately two hours and refreshments are provided.
For more information, contact cessd@rdek.bc.ca
Active fires in the Elk Valley (Sunday 10 a.m.)
Coal Creek FSR (N12395) – located approximately 12km east of Fernie and 713ha in size. At 12.36 p.m. Saturday, August 18, this fire was still not contained and ground crews consisting of 11 firefighters and heavy equipment were working on containment, with support from helicopters. There is no threat to communities, however, road closures remain in place. Discovered on August 10, cause still under investigation.
McDermid Cr (N12563) – located approximately 6km west of the Morrissey area and 70ha in size. Discovered on August 11, suspected cause: lightning. Click here for more information.
Elk Valley (N12507) – located appoximately 1.5km east of the McDermid Creek fire and 1.1ha in size. Discovered on August 11, suspected cause: lightning.
Lodgepole Creek (N12486) – approximately 15ha in size. Discovered on August 11, suspected cause: lightning.
Leach Creek (N12565) – located approximately 3km north of Mount Taylor and 21km southeast of Sparwood, and 30ha in size. Discovered on August 12 and downgraded from a Wildfire of North on August 17. As of the last update on August 17, the fire was 95 per cent guarded and being held, which means it was not likely to spread beyond existing or pre-determined boundaries under the prevailing and forecasted conditions. Crews consisting of five firefighters, 1 helicopter and 1 heavy equipment, were working to strengthen guards on Friday. Suspected cause: lightning.
Mount Erickson (N12574) – located southeast of Sparwood and approximately 4ha in size. Discovered on August 12, suspected cause: lightning.
South Line Creek (N12685) – located southeast of Elkford and approximately 15ha in size. Discovered on August 15, suspected cause: lightning.
Weigert Creek (N12575) – located south of Elkford and 0.9ha in size. Discovered on August 11, suspected cause: lightning.
Bow River FSR (N12407) – located west of Elkford, approximately 90km down Bow River Forest Service Rd. Currently 760ha in size. Discovered on August 11, suspected cause: lightning.
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