Fire behaviour expected to increase as temperatures rise

The Incident Management Team assigned in the East Kootenay is anticipating some increased fire behaviour this week.

BC Wildfire Service information officer Nicole Bonnett said it would depend on how much direct sun there is.

“Where we start to see some of those warmer temperatures there’s potential for a little more wind and depending on how much cloud or smoke cover we get will determine how much fire activity starts to increase as we move into a hotter, dryer trend period.”

In the meantime, crews will be making as much ground as they can against the Dogtooth, Mount Morro and Ravenshead fire.

“We’ve got crews that are still focusing on those priority areas, particularly down in the valley bottom and around the interface,” Bonnett added.

“As they continue to mop up hot spots in the valley bottom then we’ll be able to start working our way up the slope.”

Out of Control wildfires:

Mount Morro – N21014 – Located in Top of the World Provincial Park (currently closed)

• Size – 11,382 hectares
• Suspected cause – lightning
• Discovered on July 17, 2024
• An Incident Management team has been assigned to the fire.
• Fire behaviour has decreased over the past couple of days, but it is likely it will increase later in the week as temperatures rise.
• This fire originated at high elevation on Mount Morro, in extremely steep terrain that is inaccessible to crews.
• This fire is classified as a modified response. Wildfire Officers and an initial attack crew have worked with BC Parks to protect park values.
• The fire is now outside of the provincial park and growing in all directions.
• Structure protection has been established on cabins outside of the park in areas of concern.
• An area restriction is now in place around the fire.
• The evacuation four properties, the Home Basin Campground and Inlet Creek Campground remain in place.

MORE: Whiteswan Lake area ordered to evacuate as Mt. Morro fire grows (July 25, 2024)

MORE: Area restriction issued for Mount Morro fire (July 24, 2024)

Dogtooth FSR – N21427

• Size – 5,445 hectares
• Suspected cause – Lightning
• Discovered on July 22, 2024. Upgraded to a wildfire of note.
• The Town of Golden confirmed that at least six homes have been destroyed along Rauch Road.
• An Incident Management team has been assigned to the fire.
• Fire behaviour has decreased over the past couple of days, but it is likely it will increase later in the week as temperatures rise.
• Plans are in place for two small scale ignitions, on the northern edge and southeast corner between the Columbia River and the fire perimeter.
• The evacuation order for 28 properties and the evacuation alerts for 1,044 properties is still in effect.
• An area restriction is in place.

MORE: Highway 95 closed due to Dogtooth FSR fire, evacuation orders issued (July 25, 2024)

Lost Dog – N21284

• Size – 651 hectares
• Suspected cause – Lightning
• Discovered on July 20, 2024.
• Helicopters will be seen in the area of these fires as they are being flown regularly for reconnaissance.
• BC Wildfire Service officials said direct attack suppression on the north flank was successful and it kept the fire south of Skookumchuck Creek.
• An area restriction has been put in place.

MORE: Area restriction in effect for Lost Dog area (July 29, 2024)

Ravens Head – N21610

• Size – 4,951 hectares
• Suspected cause – Under investigation
• Discovered on July 24, 2024
• The Palliser/Cross River area is under an evacuation order as the Ravenshead wildfire is fanned by winds and dry conditions.
• This includes Nipika Mountain Resort, Cross River Education and Retreat Centre, Cross River Forest Service Road and Cross River Canyon Recreation Site.
• An area restriction is in place.

MORE: Area restriction issued for Ravens head wildfire (July 26, 2024)

Bradford Creek – N11212 

• Size – 25 hectares
• Suspected cause – Lightning
• Discovered on July 19, 2024
• A heavy equipment strike team is working on establishing machine guard in strategic areas around these fires, focusing on the east and northeast corners.
• Helicopters will be seen in the area of these fires as they are being flown regularly for reconnaissance.

Bayview Creek – N41405

• Size – 0.3 hectares
• Suspected cause – Lightning
• Discovered on July 22, 2024

Wildfire being held:

None at this time.

Wildfires under control:

Island Pond – N21295

• Size – 37 hectares down from an original estimate of 120.
• Suspected Cause – lightning
• Discovered on July 20, 2024
• The two evacuation orders and 65 evacuation alerts have been rescinded.

For more information on specific wildfires in the region contact the Southeast Fire Centre at [email protected] or 250-318-7715.

More Information

The BC Wildfire Service is the primary source of information for all wildfire activity.

Regional District East Kootenay (RDEK) is the primary source of information for evacuation orders and evacuation alerts.

Drive BC for all information on roads and road closures.

Something going on in your part of the Kootenays you think people should know about? Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].