Area restrictions remain in place for the Lladnar Creek and Mt. Bingay fires.
B.C Wildfire Service classifies the Lladnar Creek fire near Sparwood as “being held”, which means the fire is unlikely to jump the boundaries and control lines put in place by crews. It is no longer considered a “fire of note.”
The area restriction for Lladnar Creek is still active. It extends from Mt. Terrion and Nordstrom Creek in the north to McCool Creek in the south. It expands westward towards Mt. Kuleski and eastward to Matevic Rd in Sparwood. The restriction will remain until 1 p.m. on Sept. 30, unless it is rescinded earlier.
The Mt. Bingay fire, which originated 16km northwest of Elkford, is still expected to grow, but it is not threatening any communities.
An area restriction put in place for the Mt. Bingay fire on Aug. 15 has been amended to allow responders and the public safe passage on resource roads. Travel is now permitted along the Elk River Main FSR, but entry into restricted areas or side roads near the FSR remain prohibited. This amendment will be in effect until noon on Oct. 15, unless rescinded earlier.
READ MORE: Sparwood evacuation alerts rescinded
The area restriction starts at the junction of Elk River Main FSR and Crossing Creek [50° 4.042′, -114° 55.308′] and continues northeast following the powerline right-of-way to a junction and an unnamed road [50° 6.612′, -114° 55.378′], stretching further to the height of land [50° 9.610′, -114° 54.824′] and following the height of land northwest [50° 13.271′, -114° 56.266′ ]. It continues along the Elk River to a point 1.5km northeast of the Elk River Main FSR and Forsyth Creek junction [50° 15.365′, -114° 56.492′]. From there, it runs approximately 1km northwest of Forsyth Creek Rec Site, near Quarrie Creek [50° 16.030′, -114° 58.726′] and heads south following the height of land, approximately 1.5km southwest of Mt. Bingay’s peak [50° 8.437′, -115° 1.918′]. It continues southeast following the height of land to a junction at Crossing North FSR and Crossing Creek FSR [50° 4.622′, -114° 59.278′] and ends at a point east of Crossing Creek FSR.
No one is allowed to enter the restriction areas unless they are fighting the fire, using the highway, travelling to a principle residence that is not under evacuation order, or receive written authorization from an official designated by the Wildfire Act. Failure to comply with restrictions will result in a fine of $1,150.
Crews are continuing to monitor fire activity in both areas. On Aug. 28, workers found a pocket of previously unburnt forest fuel on the north side of Matevic Creek in Sparwood, which was showing increased smoke activity. Ground and aerial crews are currently working in this area to slow fire growth.
On Aug. 22, evacuation alerts for people living in Sparwood were rescinded.
At the Mt. Bingay site, crews continue to fight the fire with heavy equipment, and assess and fell dangerous trees that are considered safety hazards. Aerial crews and drones are scanning the area from above for hotspots.
@gfrans15
newsroom@thefreepress.ca
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