UPDATED: BC Wildfire continues aerial assault on Eagle Creek fire, RDCK issues Evacuation Order for 11 properties near Aylwin Creek wildfire
By The Nelson Daily Staff
BC Wildfire crews continue to use ground and aerial assaults throughout Thursday to deal with the Eagle Creek wildfire, located approximately 6.5 kilometres west of the City of Nelson and above the community of Blewett.
Two CL-215T air tankers and a helicopter bucketing water have been applying water through the air while crews also battle the estimated 2.1 hectares blaze on the ground.
The Eagle Creek wildfire is part of a cluster in the zone that are being assessed and responded to in priority sequence said the BC Wildfire Service social media post.
In an afternoon update, BC Wildfire Service said ground crews have established a water delivery system along the east flank of the Eagle Creek wildfire and is nearly complete.
- Danger tree assessing and falling is complete along the east flank.
- Crews are focusing on establishing water delivery along the west flank.
- A helicopter is supporting ground crews by cooling the fires edge.
Meanwhile, near New Denver, the local fire department is working alongside BC Wildfire Service crews on the Aylwin Creek wildfire.
BC Wildfire Service said this incident is located approximately 11 kilometres southwest from the community of New Denver, on the west side of Highway 6 and is estimated to be 10 hectares in size.
BC Wildfire Service said ground crews are on scene working with the local fire department, with additional crews en route.
As well a skimmer group is assigned to support suppression activities.
The proximity of the Aylwin Creek wildfire has prompted the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) on the recommendation of the BC Wildfire Service to issue an Evacuation Order for 11 properties in Electoral Area “H” and an Evacuation Alert for 91 properties in Area “H”.
Properties under Evacuation Order:
- 8905 Highway 6
- 8755 Highway 6
- 8651 Highway 6
- 8941 Highway 6
- 8953 Highway 6
- 8961 Highway 6
- 8921 Highway 6
- 8749 Highway 6
- 8851 Highway 6
- 8751 Highway 6
- 8821 Highway 6
The RDCK has declared a State of Local Emergency for Electoral Area ‘H’ due to the Aylwin Creek wildfire.
At the Aylwin Creek wildfire BC Wildfire Service said that ground crews are on scene with a skimmer group (six airtankers) and one helicopter is assigned to support crews on the ground. — Photo courtesy BC Wildfire Service
Under B.C.’s Emergency Program Act, when a State of Emergency is declared, it provides the RDCK’s Emergency Operations Centre greater flexibility to access resources and respond efficiently to the imminent threat of wildfire across the region.
Residents and Visitors are required to leave the Evacuation Order area immediately.
Evacuated residents are asked to go to their pre-arranged emergency locations and register online with Emergency Support Services (ESS) at https://ess.gov.bc.ca/. If you do not have a pre-arranged location and require support, please report to the Royal Canadian Legion at 502 Harold St, Slocan BC V0G 2C0.
Short-term assistance for immediate needs of food, shelter and clothing may be provided by ESS volunteers following registration at the above website. For further assistance you can call the RDCK EOC pubic inquiry line at 250.352.7701.
ESS may not be able to accommodate your pets, so make sure you have prepared your pets by having appropriate cages, food, water and bowls, and ensure they are wearing identification. You may wish to arrange to have your pets cared for by family or friends.
Access to the Evacuation Order area is being controlled. You will not be permitted to return to your home during and Evacuation Order unless it is safe to do so and you have been given permission by local officials and emergency personnel.
The Aylwin creek wildfire, first discovered on July 18th, was believed to be caused by lightning.
BC Wildfire Service sent ConAir tanker in to drop retardant onto the Eagle Creek fire above Blewett Wednesday evening. — The Nelson Daily
Previous Story:
BC Wildfire sends air tanker to slow fire near Blewett
BC Wildfire Service sent in a ConAir aerial tanker Wednesday evening to get the jump on the Eagle Creek fire located a few kilometers above the community of Blewett.
The aerial tanker made a series of retardant drops over the wildfire before heading back to the Southeast Fire Centre base in Castlegar to refill with retardant.
The wildfire continues to burn in rugged terrain on the mountain above Blewett mountain with a five-person ground crew on scene overnight.
The BC Wildfire Service website said the fire has grown to .06 hectare.
BC Wildfire Service is also reporting new wildfires south of Nelson near Gold Creek, Selous Creek, three around Sandy Creek and east of the Heritage City at Five-Mile Creek in West Arm Park.
The Eagle Creek wildfire continues to burn into the night. — The Nelson Daily
Previous Story:
Lightning sparks wildfires in mountains near Blewett
Lightning from Wednesday evening’s thunderstorm saw numerous strikes to the west of Nelson, and caused wildfires to start above the community of Blewett.
Smoke, along with flames, could be seen from the west side of Kootenay River in Taghum along Highway 3A/6 from the nearest Eagle Creek wildfire that is burning very close to houses in Blewett.
Another lightning strike ignited a wildfire burning in the mountains south of Blewett and southeast of Nelson close to Sandy Creek.
The Eagle wildfire started at approximately 7 p.m. Wednesday. Minutes after the start, a helicopter could be seen flying the mountain above the wildfire.
BC Wildfire Service website said the Eagle Creek wildfire is approximately .009 hectares in size.
Fire size of the Sandy Creek fire is estimated at .01 hectare.
Smoke could be seen in the distance from the Sandy Creek wildfire.
A wildfire, starting from lightning strikes after Wednesday’s thunderstorm, burns above the community of Blewett. — The Nelson Daily
