Fire still a concern, despite soggy wet weather in the West Kootenay
By Erin Perkins
The Southeast Fire Centre (SFC) is urging the public not to be fooled by the soggy weather conditions experienced in the West Kootenay after 28 wildfires were extinguished by firefighters in the region to date.
“(The Kootenay Lake, Arrow Lakes fire zone) fire danger is fairly low across most of the Kootenays,” said Patrick Gall, fire information officer with the SFC, during an interview with The Nelson DailyWednesday, July 18.
“With the June rain it has definitely been low. That being said, the risk of lightning is out there and causing fires.”
Over this past weekend many of the 83 crew members of the Kootenay region responded to three wild fires.
Two of those were caused by lightning and the third, which was south of Nakusp, is still under investigation for human cause. All three fires were in remote locations and were not a risk to nearby communities, said Gall.
Generally 50 per cent of wildfires are human caused — a camp fire that got away, a tossed cigarette butt, said Gall.
If a person is found guilty of starting a wild fire, either by accident or intentionally, they can be charged and held liable for all the expenses incurred to put the fire out.
Of the 28 fires the crew has responded to in 2012, 20 were human caused, eight were naturally caused.
“Last year it was very similiar (weather), with a slow start and lots of rain,” said Gall. “We want to stress to the public that as much as there’s been so much rain, it will dry.”
In fact, wet weather means more growth in the wild hinterlands which then means more fuel for the fire, said Gall, who expects more fires to come before winter.
“Rain causes growth in the forest. And all that growth will dry out and cause fire danger, so we need to be vigilant.”
Smoke from the 100,000 hectacre fires presently burning in parts of northern Alberta and in Fort St. John may soon be coming to the Kootenays too, said Gall.
He advises that anyone with sensitivity to smokey air should stay indoors as much as possible and seek medical attention if needed.
“We can’t stop the smoke from coming,” said Gall.
Right now fire restrictions have began with an open fire prohibition. Camp fires can not exceed a half meter in size.
The fire should not be left unattended, there should be at least an eight litre bottle of water close by and a shovel to put out any fire that gets away.
To report a wildfire call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on most cellular phones. For up to date fire restriction information visit www.bcwildfire.ca.
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