UPDATE: Cooler temperatures help contain Gilpin Wildfire near Grand Forks
By Nelson Daily Staff
The wildfire burning in the Gilpin area east of Grand Forks remains, as of 4 p.m. Wednesday, at 224 hectares, according Karlie Shaughnessy, Fire Information Officer with the Southeast Fire Centre.
“With cooler temperatures and higher humidity levels, they’ve managed to get the fire 40 per cent contained,” she added.
Today, 64 BC Wildfire Service personnel are worked to establish containment lines and conduct burn-off operations to limit the spread of the fire. Crews were assisted by three helicopters, three pieces of heavy equipment and airtankers as needed.
Gilpin Wildfire near Grand Forks grows to estimated size of 100 hectares
The Gilpin wildfire three kilometers east of Grand Forks has grown to an estimated size of 100 hectare said Active Wildfires map on the BC Wildfire Service.
The wildfire, which BC Wildfire Service continues to investigate the cause, has grown from the 20-hectare size Tuesday afternoon.
The Southeast Fire Centre said 14 BC Wildfire Service personnel, four airtankers and two helicopters are assisting Grand Forks Fire and Rescue in fighting the wildfire.
The Southeast Fire Centre said 40 additional firefighters are en route to the Gilpin Wildfire.
The other wildfire that started approximately the same time as the Gilpin fire, located in the Billings area, south of Christina Lake, remains at an estimated size of two hectars.
The fire near Christina Lake is also believed to be human caused.
These wildfires are not currently threatening any structures or communities, but they are near Highway 3 and are highly visible.
According to Drive BC Highway 3 is opened to single-lane alternating traffic.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.
Two wildfires burning near Grand Forks/Christina Lake
The Southeast Fire Centre is reporting two wildfires burning between Christina Lake and Grand Forks Tuesday.
The fires forced the closure of Highway 3 due to the air tankers dropping fire retardant, but according to Drive BC the road has since been re-opened to single-lane alternating ttraffic.
The Southeast Fire Centre said Seven BC Wildfire Service personnel, airtankers and one helicopter are assisting Grand Forks Fire and Rescue staff on a 20-hectare wildfire in the Gilpin area, east of Grand Forks.
The larger of the two fires, estimated at four hectares is burning five kilometers east of Grand Forks in the Gilpin area.
The second wildfire currently covers about two hectares in the Billings area, south of Christina Lake. The BC Wildfire Service initially provided assistance, but now the local fire department is handling this incident.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.
