Fire prompts evacuation

Columbia Valley Pioneer Staff

As of Wednesday, 25 dwellings in the Horsethief Creek and Bear Mountain areas were under an Evacuation Order due to the Horsethief Creek fire on Mount Bruce.

The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) issued the order Monday night as winds pushed the fire from approximately 70 hectares to 300, and then to 966 on Tuesday.

“This is a highly visible fire and has grown rapidly since it started this (Monday) afternoon. As a result, the BC Wildfire Service has recommended we issue an Evacuation Order for an area nearest the fire and an Evacuation Alert for a number of properties nearby,” said Information Officer Loree Duczek.

The Order includes:

• Forster FSR to the north

• Lake Enid Recreation Site to the east

• Bear Mountain to the south

• Bruce Mount service road to the west

The ALERT has been issued for 1,041 dwellings including:

• Panorama

• Westside Road from Invermere to Radium

• Mt. Forster

• Lillian Lake Recreation Site

A copy of the Order and Alert and associated maps are posted on www.rdek.bc.ca.

The RDEK has prepared an Evacuation Alert checklist to help assist those within the area.

“This is the time to get organized, put your important papers, medications, pet supplies, grab-and-go kits and other important items together so that you can leave on a moment’s notice if required,” stressed Duczek.

The RDEK is also encouraging those within the

Alert area to pre-register all household members on the provincial Evacuee Registration & Assistance (ERA) Tool at ess.gov.bc.ca.

Commercial producers needing assistance with relocation of livestock can contact the Emergency Information Line to access support through the Ministry of Agriculture.

On Monday, 15 horses were evacuated from Houlgrave Road. The Saddle Club is boarding the horses at Invermere while the Evacuation Order is in place. The group was able to grab enough hay to last approximately three days, so the club is asking the local ranching/farming community for horse hay donations for the equine evacuees. A bale or two would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Margot at 403-860-4184 if you are able to assist.

The Emergency Information line has been activated as part of the regional response to the wildfires. The numbers are 250-426-2188 or toll free 1-855-346-2188 and, when not staffed, there will be a recorded message with the most updated information.

The RDEK has also declared a State of Local Emergency for Electoral Areas F and G, which is part of the process when an Evacuation Order is issued.

The Horsethief Creek fire is located on Bruce Mountain approximately seven kilometres north of Panorama Mountain Resort and 10 kilometres west of Invermere.

The B.C. Wildfire Service is listing the suspected cause as lightning.

There are 30 personnel, five helicopters and two airtankers responding to this wildfire, in addition to seven pieces of heavy equipment and structure protection crews.

Heavy equipment crews are reportedly making progress on a machine guard on the east flank and are protecting BC Hydro infrastructure.