Crews close to full containment of two local wildfires
By Nelson Daily Staff
Fire crews are getting the upper hand on two remote fires in the Nelson and Castlegar area.
The Five Mile Creek fire, located in the City of Nelson watershed, is now 75 percent contained according to a report on the Southeast Fire Centre website Tuesday.
“The fire is not threatening any communities or structures but is generating smoke and fire suppression activity that is visible to local communities,” the website said.
“Fire is burning in a watershed and fire officials are taking precautions to keep the area protected.”
There are currently 13 firefighters working on the ground with the aid of three helicopters.
The size of the fire is estimated at three hectares.
Meanwhile, near Castlegar the Above Syringa fire is close to 80 percent contained thanks to the work of 20 firefighters and one helicopter.
Both fires were started from lightning in the area Sunday.
Near Creston the Skimmer Horn Mountain blaze is proving to be difficult to get ahead of as steep terrain is slowing the firefighters progress.
The blaze has reached 56 hectares in difficult, steep terrain.
The fire is 45 percent contained.
Five helicopters are assisting a 37-member ground crew.
The Keen Creek fire, west of Kaslo is 100 percent contained and is being mopped‐up and patrolled by 16 personnel.
Although there are several active fires within Southeast, there are no significant burns that would produce the amount of smoke being seen across the centre, which has been linked to wildfires in Russian as well as ones south of the 49th parallel.
The fire danger rating across most of the Southeast Fire Centre is moderate to high with pockets of extreme in the Arrow, Kootenay Lake, Boundary, Invermere and Cranbrook zones.
The public is urged to use extreme caution when frequenting the back country.
There is an open fire ban in the Southeast Fire Centre, however, campfires are still permitted.
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