Evacuation Order downgraded

Columbia Valley Pioneer Staff

A recent Evacuation Order for the Horsethief Creek wildfire has been downgraded to an Evacuation Alert.

The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) says that fire crews continue to make progress.

“With the recent downturn in weather and all the great work that the BC Wildfire crews have been putting in, the Order that was still in place has been able to be downgraded to an Alert. Residents that are in the Alert area should stay prepared and be ready to leave on a moment’s notice should conditions change and an Order needs to be re-issued,” says Regional Emergency Operations Centre Director, Christina Carbrey.

The Evacuation Alert area that was put in place on July 30 remains in effect. The full list of affected areas can be viewed at www.rdek.bc.ca.

A new “Area Restriction” has been put in place by BC Wildfire Service in relation to the Horsethief Creek fire. This restriction reflects the need to protect the public in areas where fire suppression activities are taking place. This means that nobody is permitted on Crown land within this fire zone.

The fire is still classified as out of control at a size of

3,936 hectares. Resources include 121 firefighting personnel, 13 helicopters and 11 pieces of heavy equipment. Crews continue to maintain guards. No structures have been reported damaged.

Crews have been focusing on securing the Bruce and Neave drainage where planned ignitions recently took place. Work continues on a contingency guard up the Horsethief Canyon and a direct guard up to Law Ridge. Preparation was underway for a potential 10-hectare planned ignition near the Jackpine bowl ridgeline to remove pockets of unburned fuel and bring fire safely to a guard.

Firefighters from the US have been vital to the response in the Horsethief Complex near Invermere. The Tahoe Hotshots from the Tahoe National Forest have been working to contain the Horsethief Creek fire by building guard, actioning the fire with direct and indirect attack tactics, and conducting aerial planned ignitions.

Increased smoke may be visible if planned ignitions proceed.

The RDEK information line remains open at 250426-2188 or toll free 1-855-346-2188 and, when not staffed, will have a recorded message with the most updated information.