IMPORTANT Community message from BCWS – August 16, 2023
Tomorrow a dry cold front is forecast to move into the province adding instability, dry lightning strikes and strong gusting winds. This weather may result in intense, unpredictable and dangerous fire behaviour. Existing fires may challenge guards and response efforts and could change directions suddenly. New fires may grow quickly.
In this video, Neal McLaughlin, BCWS superintendent of predictive services, explains the anticipated conditions and their impact on fires across B.C.
As we look toward the latter half of this week, we cannot overstate the importance of being prepared.
Currently, Area Restrictions are in place over and around the Horsethief Creek and Mia Creek fires and the Cochrane Creek FSR, on the southern border of the Yearling Creek fire, is closed to the public. These restrictions and closures must be respected for the life safety of our responders and members of our community.
Recently, good progress has been made on the Horsethief Creek complex of fires. Yesterday’s difficult conditions were challenging but firefighters, assisted by heavy equipment and aviation, were able to hold fire inside guards on all three fires.
Over the coming days, firefighters, heavy equipment and aviation resources will continue to respond to the Horsethief complex, but safety will remain the top priority. As we may see over the coming days, wildfires can be dynamic and unpredictable but we can each take the time to prepare ourselves, our families and our communities in the event we are threatened by a wildfire, community preparedness benefits us all.
We strongly urge residents and visitors to be prepared for potential evacuations. Prepared BC has information on how to prepare yourself and your family in the event of an evacuation. Take the time to create an evacuation plan, build grab and go bags and ensure you know where to find trustworthy information. Homeowners with personal structure protection equipment may take this time to ensure all equipment is operational. FireSmart BC also has a wealth of resources for making properties and homes more resilient to wildfire.
If you haven’t already, register for evacuation notification through Voyent Alert.
Sources of emergency information:
Horsethief Creek complex fire information: bcws.htc.information@gov.bc.ca, 778 362-4718
Southeast Fire Centre information (fires within the Southeast Fire Centre, aside from the Horsethief complex): 250-318-7715 BCWS.SEFCInformationOfficer@gov.bc.ca
Regional District of East Kootenay Emergency Operations Center: 250-426-2188 or toll free at 1-855-346-2188
Regional District of East Kootenay email notifications: www.rdek.bc.ca/about/email_group_sign_up/
