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Above and Beyond
Sunny skies for Cyswog
Pat Dooley’s leadership skills
Vol. 7 • Issue 11
Rosslander tops the field
Wildfire season heats up
Slocan Park on evacuation alert; Silverton-area fire nears 100 hectares; campfire ban issued
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Firefighters were optimistic Tuesday about containing a wildfire on a ridge above Slocan Park that resulted in an evacuation alert being issued for the community. The lightning-sparked fire is on the east side of the Slocan River, about 2 km from the highway. It was reported Saturday and has since grown to an estimated 100 hectares, fanned by high winds. Early Tuesday, Slocan Park residents were placed on evacuation alert. The notice covers 47 homes on or off Highway 6 between the street addresses 2826 and 3024 — from Legendary Meats to the Slocan Valley Co-op. Yesterday the Southeast Fire Centre dispatched a 30-person ground crew, four helicopters, plus air tanker support. Two pieces of heavy equipment were also being used to build a machine guard between the community and ridge. A provincial incident management team that specializes in fires close to communities was expected to assume command of the fire. “[The fire] did not move toward any residences overnight [Monday],” said Southeast Fire Centre information officer Jordan Turner. “However, we did have an initial attack crew monitoring the fire in case there were any changes and it moved further down the mountain. That did not take place. The winds were quite strong and the fire did grow, but luckily it was mostly on top of the ridge.” Turner said although the wind calmed overnight, the fire was still showing “aggressive” behaviour and had potential for further growth, given the dry fuel in the area, but he expected it would be to the northeast, further away from homes. Although no homes are in immediate danger, the evacuation alert issued
ABOVE: A fire on the ridge above Slocan Park is seen Monday evening. (Dan Szabo photo) INSET: The fire as seen from Krestova at about 9:30 p.m. Monday. (Natalia Nazaroff photo) See more pictures of this fire and others in West Kootenay at nelsonstar.com by the Regional District of Central “The Southeast Fire Centre is giv- far less substantial timber to burn and Kootenay at the request of the South- ing it everything they’ve got,” he said. fuel the fire’s advance.” east Fire Centre remained in place “Weather permitting, we hope the fire “I just looked out the door and while Tuesday afternoon. will be manageable very soon.” I can see the fire, it’s nothing like it was RDCK regional fire chief Terry Crews were already working on when it flared and took off earlier,” he Swan said they “want residents to be the fire Monday, but resident Chris said early Tuesday. prepared in case the situation worsens. Sapriken found its flare-up “alarming.” The RDCK’s sprinkler protection The safety of our residents is our first “It was enough that, with two kids units were on standby. RCMP also conconcern.” and my parents, we felt there was too ducted traffic control Monday night The alert suggests residents pack much ground to cover to not be pre- because of the large number of people some belongings and be ready to leave pared,” he said. “We just packed our stopping on the highway to watch the at a moment’s notice. Those with live- bags in case the order comes between fire. stock are also being asked to move their now and whenever it’s been put out animals to a safe location. for good.” Fennell Creek fire grows Swan said the decision whether to Another resident, Jim Ross, obA forest fire burning about 8.5 km rescind the evacuation notice would be served the fire from several locations east of Silverton grew over the weekend made jointly with the Southeast Fire and wrote on nelsonstar.com that it to almost 100 hectares, although it is Centre, but he didn’t expect it to be looked like the fire was burning into not threatening the community. discussed until late Tuesday. a rocky area with “patchy growth and Continued on Page 3
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