Well ... I sure am the Bad News Reporter lately ... Slocan homes - 3 evacuated and 11 on standby now ... at 5pm it was said the fire was within 100m of one house. This ain't looking good and I sure hope they douse this thing soon. My kid especially knows lots of people all up through that area (school friends and their families) so it's a bit personal. We need some rain without the lightening.
By the way ... what are the updates for Oz regards the drought/rain etc?
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LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED FOR SLOCAN VALLEY (ELECTORAL AREA H) TMTV/BCTV Kootenays - 5PM Aug 1, 2007 - The Regional District of Central Kootenay has declared a State of Local Emergency for Electoral Area H, effective immediately. The Declaration Order is in place in the Slocan Valley due to interface forest fires and the possible risk to life. Currently the Springer Creek Fire is threatening homes in the Slocan City area. Twenty-one homes are being guarded by sprinkler protection devices, and the fire is within 100 metres of the nearest structure. The State of Local Emergency will remain in place until lifted by the Regional District.
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Three homes have been given an evacuation order
CASTLEGAR B.C. Aug 1, 2007– Fire activity has been heavy in the Southeast Fire Centre, with the safety of life and property being the biggest priority for crews. Fire crews are actioning several fires of note, with all fire centre personnel, equipment and aircraft assisting.
The Springer Creek fire, located 5km northeast of Slocan, is estimated to be 873 hectares. Eleven homes are on evacuation alert, and three homes have been given an evacuation order. A Sprinkler Protection Unit (SPU) is in place to help protect homes in case the fire threatens the structures.
The fire is being managed by a Type I Fire Management Team. Today, 54 fire fighters, 2 helicopters, 3 bulldozers, 4 excavators and 5 water tenders are actioning this fire, with another 20-person unit crew arriving later today. Crews have built 4 km of machine guard between the homes and the fire.
The Arrow Lake Penstock Fire (formerly called the Whatshan Power Station Fire), approximately 8 km north of Needles, is estimated to be 315 hectares and burning south today. The fire is burning among transmission lines and power has been shut off to the areas of Burton, Nakusp, Needles, and Fauquier. Officials from the BC Transmission Corporation are assessing the situation.
The fire has moved to within 1 km of the closest structure, and fire officials are closely watching the situation. Twenty fire fighters, 2 officers, 4 helicopters and air tankers are actioning this fire. Heavy equipment is making progress constructing a machine guard. A public meeting is planned for tonight at 5 p.m. in Fauquier.
The Sitkum Creek Fire, 13 km northeast of Nelson, is now estimated to be 1050 hectares. Today, 60 fire fighters, 7 helicopters, 5 pieces of heavy equipment are on site, with an incident command team and a fire camp in place. Fire crews put in a retardant pit for the helicopters and have completed construction of a fireguard along the south flank of the fire to prevent the fire from spreading towards structures. There are now fireguards tied into the fuel free zone on the south end of the fire. The guard in the southwest corner is tied into an area of already-burnt fuel. Crews have established a hose line and a fuel free line in the northwest corner of the fire. Several helipads were also constructed yesterday.
Today, the wind blew smoke into Nelson; however, at this point the fire is not a threat to any structures, communities or infrastructure.
The Hamil Creek Fire, north of the community of Argenta, has grown to 760 hectares, but the growth has been toward the northwest, pushing it away from structures. An evacuation alert for 4 houses was put in place on Monday and the fire remains approximately 1 km away from the nearest structure. SPU’s are now in place to help protect these homes should the fire move towards them.
Fifty five fire fighters, 5 helicopters on this fire, 3 pieces of heavy equipment and a Type 2 Management team are working this fire. Smoke is expected to increase as temperatures rise throughout the day.
Current information on this fire will be posted at the Argenta Community Hall and a community meeting is scheduled at the Argenta community hall at 7pm tonight. Please note, Earl Grey Pass is closed due to fire suppression activities. An information office is also being set up in Kaslo at City Hall. It should be open tomorrow 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The public can call 250-213-1110 for fire information.
The Kemp Creek Fire, located south of Kaslo, is currently mapped at 200 hectares. Crews have established a contingency containment line on the North flank of the fire, between the fire and the community. Today, helicopters were bucketing the North and Northwest of the fire, while crews established hand guards in the same area.
Forty fire fighters are currently working on this fire, with support from two helicopters and five pieces of heavy equipment. An Information Office has been established in the village office in Kaslo.
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