Horsethief Creek wildfire likely to continue burning for weeks

Evacuation order downsized, alert rescinded

By Steve Hubrecht steve@columbiavalleypioneer.com

Some Toby Benches residents have been able to go home, and other Columbia Valley residents have been able to breathe a little easier after the evacuation order stemming from the Horsethief Creek was recently decreased in size, and the evacuation alert for surrounding areas was rescinded.

But the wildfire — which is just 10 kilometres west of Invermere and seven kilometres north of Panorama and is very visible from most parts of the Columbia Valley — will continue to burn for weeks, unless some rain materializes, say firefighting officials.

The Horsethief Creek fire began burning on Monday, July 24 and prompted an evacuation order that included 27 properties in the Horsethief Creek area, including Bear Mountain Area, Lake Enid and the westernmost parts of the Toby Benches. A related evacuation alert was issued for the rest of the Toby Benches, Lake Lillian, Mount Forster, Westside Road between Radium Hot Springs and Invermere and Panorama Mountain Resort, which included 1,041 properties.

On Sunday, July 30 the evacuation alert covering those 1,041 properties was rescinded. And for 26 out of the 27 properties under evacuation order, the order was downgraded to an alert. A solitary dwelling remains under evacuation order.

The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) noted on Sunday, July 30 that cooperative weather over several days had resulted in reduced wildfire activity, allowing wildland firefighters to make “good progress” in battling the blaze.

The RDEK was quick to add, however, that the Horsethief Creek wildfire remains active.

“It is important for people within the evacuation alert area to remember that they should stay prepared and be ready to leave on a moment’s notice should conditions change and an order needs to be re-issued,” said regional emergency operations centre director Christina Carbrein a press release.

The Horsethief Creek fire remains mapped at 1,020 hectares in size and firefighters are continuing to use direct, parallel and indirect fire suppression methods on the fire’s perimeter to establish control and contingency lines.

At total of 116 firefighters were involved in the bat-

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