Evacuation Alert remains in place for Sitkum Creek South and Willow Point residents
By Nelson Daily Staff
The evacuation alert for approximately 350 residences between Sitkum Creek South and Willow Point (Six Mile Lakes Road) remains in place said Sangita Sudan Regional District of Central Kootenay Emergency Operations Centre.
“At this point the Southeast Fire Centre crews are working at building a guard and at this point the fire is being managed,” Sudan told The Nelson Daily Sunday afternoon.
“So at this point there is no risk to residents.”
Sudan said the fire is currently located along the Duhamel ridge toward Sitkum Creek on the North Shore.
The interface wildfire, which started Saturday afternoon, is highly visible from the City of Nelson, surrounding areas and Highway 3A.
The uncertainty of the wildfire forced the RDCK EOC to impose an evacuation alert Saturday night.
Sudan said a Type 1 Incident team is expected to arrive in the region Sunday afternoon to survey the wildfire.
According to the BC Wildlife website, Type 1 crews consist of highly trained, skilled firefighters and are deployed rapidly to all types of situations, regardless of the state of control or the fire class intensity.
They are used in the most hazardous or complex conditions involving steep, difficult terrain, and extreme fire behaviour (Rank 3 or higher).
Saturday night the winds pushed the fire away from residences in the Six Mile/Sitkum Creek area.
Sunday morning Southeast Fire Centre had airtankers and water skimmers deployed to the fire.
A Heavey Helicopter was to arrive Sunday afternoon to assist with the fire.
Sudan said the evacuation alert will remain in place and residents in the area can check the RDCK’s Facebook page and website. and local media, including The Nelson Daily for updated reports.
Sudan said when an evacuation alert is given residents should have made the necessary preparations to leave their homes.
If an evacuation order is issued, meaning residents are in danger and should leave their homes emergency personnel will alert impacted residents by visiting homes.
Notices will be posted in neighbourhoods.
To report a wildfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone. Please do not call 9-1-1 emergencies.
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