Recent cooler temperatures have aided in the battle against several large fires burning in the Elk Valley. As of August 30 at 11:40 a.m., the Coal Creek FSR fire registered at a size of 1,030ha and the McDermid Creek fire registered at a size of approximately 445ha. They are both still listed as Wildfires of Note.
That being said, there have been no significant changes to the sizes of these fires over the last several days. The only significant movement was from the McDermid Creek fire, which burned up to the Lizard Range ridge. Helicopters tended to this and were able to get it under control. Helicopters continue to monitor its state on a daily basis. According to the Southeast Fire District, the fire is continuing to slowly move, but in a southern direction away from the ridge.
The Coal Creek FSR (Forest Service Road) restriction was rescinded yesterday, and the Fernie Rod and Gun Club Range has reopened.
“When we get cooler temperatures like this, it helps with decreasing fire behaviour,” said Southeast Fire District information officer, Carlee Kachman.
“There are micro-climates of course, but there has been an overall decrease in fire behaviour which is really wonderful.”
Kachman said that cooler overnight temperatures have contributed to this decrease in fire behaviour.
“If we get that hot temperature through the night as we experienced earlier in the summer, that can continue to keep that heat around those fires and they can continue burning and chugging along overnight,” she said.
“So with these cooler temperatures, that definitely helps with that as well.”