UPDATED: Sitkum Creek wildfire forces RDCK EOC to keep evacuation alert in place
By Nelson Daily Staff
Not much has changed for residents of the Duhamel and Sitkum Creek area as the Regional District of Central Kootenay Emergency Operations Centre continues to keep an evacuation alert in place due to the estimated 300-hectare Sitkum Creek wildfire.
Residents in the area between Sitkum Creek South and Willow Point (Six Mile Lakes Road) are affected by this precautionary measure, due to erratic wind conditions.
Should the fire, located approximately four kilometers north of Nelson and highly visible from the City of Nelson, worsen, residents will be notified.
The Southest Fire Centre said the fire holding within retardant lines.
“The primary objective of BC Wildfire Service Crews is to contain the south and west flanks of the fire so it does not spread into local nearby residences,” said a bulletin on the Southest Fire Centre website.
The Southeast Fire Centre said there is a full response to this wildfire that started Saturday, including helicopters, multiple airtanker groups, 30 firefighters on the ground and four pieces of heavy machinery.
The Southeast Fire Centre said the interface fire will be monitored throughout the night.
Currently, there is no immediate threat to structures.
The Sitkum Creek wildfire is one of 866 fires to date that have consumed 222,000 hectares of land and cost the province of BC $80-million already this year.
Approximately 350 residences are in the affected area.
The RDCK said the evacuation alert will be in effect until further notice.
“Such a measure alerts residents and visitors within the impacted area to be prepared to evacuate if ordered to do so by emergency officials,” the RDCK said.
Please check our website at www.rdck.ca and our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rdcentralkootenay. Additionally, check out http://www.bcwildfire.ca and BC Air Quality: http://www.bcairquality.ca/
Questions, please call the EOC at 1-866-522-7701.
RDCK keeps evacuation alert in place; Sitkum Creek fire remains at 300 hectares
The Regional District of Central Kootenay Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) confirmed Monday morning the evacuation alert for Willow Point, Six Mile and Sitkum Creek residents would remain in place as a 300-hectare wildfire continues to burn.
The RDCK said the fire did not increase in size overnight.
“Thirty firefighters are attacking the fire on the ground; that number will increase to 60 tomorrow,” said Anitra Winje Information Officer for the RDCK.
“Helicopters and airtankers continue to support the firefighting effort.”
“People using Kootenay Lake for boating, swimming or other recreational activities are cautioned to be aware of aircraft scooping water out of the lake,” Winje added.
Winje said currently, there is no immediate threat to structures and a fire retardant line has been established between the blaze and area homes to protect residents.
Winje said a Provincial type one incident management team is onsite. This specialized team is dispatched to assess, strategize and fight complex wildfires.
Approximately 350 residences are in the affected area. The evacuation alert will be in effect until further notice.
Such a measure alerts residents and visitors within the impacted area to be prepared to evacuate if ordered to do so by emergency officials.
The RDCK will continue to update the public as information becomes available.
Please check our website at www.rdck.ca and our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rdcentralkootenay. Additionally, check out http://www.bcwildfire.ca.
Questions please call the EOC at 1-866-522-7701.
