The Southeast Fire Centre responded to 84 lighting-caused fires in the past week, while the Wildfire Management Branch is dealing with two wildfires, one of which has warranted an evacuation alert for residents in the area.
The Slocan Park fire in the Regional District of Central Kootenay is estimated at 120 hectares, the Ministry of Forest, Lands and Natural Resource Operations said in a press release this morning.
Firefighters and helicopters have responded to the fire but residents between 2826 and 3024 on Highway 6 has been urged to evacuate.
The Whitetrail Brook wildfire, eight kilometers east of Canal Flats, is estimated at 1,700 hectares and is 50 per cent contained.
The Wildfire Management Branch and Incident Management teams continue to respond to these wildfires. But with hot and dry conditions and the potential for more thunderstorms over the weekend, the Southeast Fire Centre is urging to public take extra precautions in the backcountry, the press release said.
In most of the Southeast Fire Centre the fire danger rating is ‘high,’ with large areas in the East Kootenay, West Kootenay, Revelstoke and Boundary regions listed as ‘extreme’.
The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations is reminding residents that a campfire ban went into effect on Tuesday, August 5 and continues to remain in effect.
To report a wildfire, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellular telephone.