The Wildfire Management Branch deployed an air tanker and two three-person initial attack crews to a small wildfire in a logging cut block below Fernie Ridge, southeast of Highway 3 on Monday, July 15. The air tankers dropped their first round of retardant along the perimeter of the .1-hectare fire to lay a guard for the initial attack crews before reloading for another round of retardant drops.
The fire was reported on Monday morning and the cause is not yet known. The fire is up Ridgemount Road, at the very end of Branch C. The fire danger rating in the Fernie area is moderate to high.
“We’re expecting the warm dry weather to continue with a chance of dry lightening,” said Karlie Shaunessy, Fire Information Officer. “To date there have been 42 wildfires in the Southeast Fire Centre, 25 of which have been person caused, burning 169 hectares.”
As of July 8, all open fires are prohibited within the Southeast Fire Centre's jurisdiction to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety. The prohibition will remain in place until Sept. 20 or until the public is otherwise notified. Strong winds mixed with the warm dry weather this past week have increased the risk of fire spreading.
There are currently no campfire bans in the Southeast Fire Centre.
To report a wildfire, call *5555 on your cell phone or 1-888-663-5555.