Fire Update from RDEK

 Here is the update everyone.  No significant changes to report and all alerts/orders remain in place.

There is one item of note on the Baynes Lake Fire – they are planning to do a burn out today which will generate some smoke, but is a normal practice to help reduce fuels and create a natural fire break.

Loree

Baynes Lake Fire (N10269)

·         Update: Fire saw minimal growth overnight. The BC Wildfire Service is classifying it as 25% contained.  If conditions allow, they are planning a “Burn Out” this afternoon in a section of the fire. This is where they burn towards the active fire, which reduces the fuels and creates a natural fire break.  This will generate smoke.  They continue to actively fight the fire on the ground and the from the air.

·         Location: The fire is burning south of Cutts Road toward the Elk River.  There is still heavy smoke over the fire area, making it more difficult to estimate size. Last estimate was in excess of 140 Hectares.

·         Resources:  35 firefighters and an Incident Commander, 6 pieces of heavy equipment, 2 helicopters and tankers as needed all day today. 

·         Alerts and Orders:

o   Evacuation ALERT - Baynes Lake, Kragmont and South:  An evacuation ALERT remains in place for Baynes Lake and the area previously under Order (the area south of 1347 Waldo Road, including the community of Kragmont and an area south of the river).

Spillimacheen Fire

·         Size: Re-estimated at 54 hectares.

·         Location: It is burning in an area next to the Highway north of Spillimacheen.  It is more active on the north side and there was a flare up in the north overnight (on the Harrogate side of the fire). They are working on machine guard lines and containment and are actively actioning the fire today.

·         Resources:  30 firefighters, heavy equipment and aerial support. The RDEK’s Windermere Fire Department Structural Protection Unit has protected two homes close to the blaze.

·         Alerts and Orders:

o   Evacuation ORDER:  An evacuation ORDER remains in place for one home north of Spillimacheen.

o   Evacuation ALERT: An alert is in place for the area south of the RDEK Boundary, east of Columbia River south to Westside Road in Spillimacheen.

Other

·         There are many fires burning across the Province. The BC Wildland Service aircraft and personnel are at a premium and resources are being stretched thin.  They are making their best efforts at prioritizing resources and we are very grateful for the incredible work they are doing in our area.

·         A Province-wide fire ban remains in effect.

Next update: Tuesday, July 7/15 mid-afternoon (unless there is a significant change)