A small wildfire discovered Aug. 13 about six kilometres southwest of Castlegar is now out, but seven fires continue to burn in the West Kootenay region.
A lightning-caused wildfire in the Woodbury Creek area in Kokanee Glacier Park southwest of Kaslo has now grown to 20 hectares. The BC Wildfire Service is monitoring the fire but not actively fighting it.
“It is far from the community and because of the extreme terrain, they have moved it to modified response for responder safety,” said Roslyn Johnson of the Southeast Fire Centre.
She said the response would change if the fire moves into safer terrain or if it approaches a community.
A fire at Crusader Creek, east of Slocan, also caused by lightning, measures eight hectares. It is also in a remote location and is being contained by crews.
A third fire started Monday morning as a result of a vehicle accident on Highway 3 between Salmo and Creston.
“A truck caught fire and the fire moved into the forest,” Johnson said. “Our crews are on the ground responding to the forest part, and the Creston fire department is at the truck.”
The Lake Creek Fire near Trout Lake is over six hectares. It has been burning for about two weeks. The fire is listed as being held.
Lightning started the Mount Flynn fire 18 km west of Winlaw on Aug. 12. The fire is now under control and is under one hectare.
The Burrell Creek fire has been burning since Aug. 10. Lightning is the suspected cause. This fire is also under control and is under one hectare.
There are also four fires burning in the East Kootenay and two more burning in the Revelstoke area.
bill.metcalfe@nelsonstar.com
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