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UPDATE: Lightning may change things in Southeast Fire Centre

The Southeast Fire Centre (SFC) has been spared so far but forecasted lightning may change things.
7644459_web1_170710-LDN-M-Wildfire-season

While wildfires rage across large sections of the province, the Southeast Fire Centre (SFC) has been spared so far from the wide-scale devastation taking place elsewhere.

However, with a chance of thunderstorms in the forecast for the next few days, there are concerns that the Kootenay and Columbia regions may be the next hotspot.

“We are expecting some starts from this expected lightning,” said Karlie Shaughnessy, information officer for the Southeast Fire Centre which covers the area from the U.S. border to Mica Dam and from the Okanagan Highlands/west side of the Monashee Mountains to the B.C./Alberta border.

Unfortunately, just a few hours after Shaughnessy made that statement, a new fire began Monday afternoon at Seven Mile near the Waneta border. As of 4 p.m. Monday, the fire was about one hectare in size and its cause was undetermined.

As of Monday morning, there were nine active fires in the SFC. All of the fires except one — the Hoder Creek fire — were under control. The Hoder Creek fire, located approximately 25 km west of Slocan as the crow flies, is covering just over one hectare. It was discovered on July 7 and is not threatening any communities or structures.

As of July 10, there have been 61 fires this year in the SFC that have burned 86 hectares. This compares with 44 fires that burned 316 hectares for the same time period in 2015. So even though the number of fires is up from last year, the year-to-date total damage is down. This year’s figures are also down from the five-year average for this time of year which is 70 fires and 385 hectares in damage.

“We are still below average, we did see a pretty wet spring,” explained Shaughnessy. “However, the situation has obviously changed, things have really dried out in the past couple of weeks.”

Most of the fire centre is now in a high to extreme danger rating.

Of those fires, 35 were started by lightning and 26 were started by people. All campfires are now prohibited in the SFC. The prohibition also includes burning of waste, stubble and grass, fireworks, sky lanterns, tiki torches, chimineas and burning barrels.

The City of Castlegar has also implemented bans in addition to the already in place open air burning bylaw to include all campfires, fireworks, tiki torches, chimineas and burning cages of any kind.

One of the human-caused fires happened just a few days ago not too far from Syringa Creek Provincial Park when a campfire near the point where Tulip Creek flows into Arrow Lakes spread. Attentive boaters reported the fire and it was quickly contained, but not before it covered an area of about 10 by 20 metres.

Because of the current preparedness level, SFC crews have been on standby since last week. Some of those crews are now assisting with fires in other parts of the province and SFC aircraft has also been dispatched to other areas.

“With these hot and dry conditions, people should really be vigilant with any kind of fire use,” said Shaughnessy, “… also be cautious when doing any activities in the back country like riding quads or motorbikes.”

Shaughnessy also explained that smoke visible in the region is coming from the large fires in the Kamloops, Cariboo or Prince George fire centres.

Up-to-date information including fire danger rating, fires of note and current prohibitions can be found at bcwildfire.ca.



Betsy Kline

About the Author: Betsy Kline

After spending several years as a freelance writer for the Castlegar News, Betsy joined the editorial staff as a reporter in March of 2015. In 2020, she moved into the editor's position.
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