By Dori Modney (@Dori_Modney on Twitter) with files from Jeff Johnson - The Drive FM

Wildfires heat up the East Kootenay and prompt evacuations of several communities

Sep 2, 2017 | 10:24 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB / CRANBROOK, B.C. –  With a thick pall of smoke covering south-west Alberta and making breathing difficult, it brings to mind the massive grass fires the region, and the city of Lethbridge, had to deal with in September of 2012.  It also raises the possibility that this area could see a repeat of the scenario this fall.

However, the area of concern at this time is south-eastern B.C., where numerous evacuations have been issued. On the last long-weekend camping opportunity for many, those heading west need to reconsider.

On Friday (Sept 1), the Rocky Mountain Resource District issued back-country closures. Because of fire activity and the extreme fire danger rating, they don’t want people possibly being stranded in remote areas. There were some exceptions for ‘front country’ lake areas. 

Enforcement personnel, including Natural Resource Officers, Correction Officers, and the RCMP are conducting increased surveillance, and anyone found in contravention of the restrictions could be issued a $767 fine.

The City of Kimberley also issued a ban on use of Crown Land and access to the trail network.

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The BC Wildfire Service issued a Forest Service Road (FSR) Closure in the Elko area, as a wildfire in that region had increased to more than 600 hectares. The Lodgepole FSR is one of the main road systems providing access to and from the Flathead area.

An Evacuation Alert was issued for the Fort Steele area, giving notice that residents should prepare for the possibility of having to leave the area at a moment’s notice.

On Saturday (Sept 2), RCMP and Search and Rescue fanned out to deliver an evacuation order for the Moyie and Monroe lake areas west of Cranbrook, after a State of Local Emergency was issued by the Regional District of East Kootenay.

By mid-afternoon, the St. Mary’s River fire near the St. Eugene Resort was at 398 hectares. A total of 41 firefighters, two helicopters and 13 pieces of heavy equipment were working to establish a guard around the fire’s perimeter.  This prompted an evacuation notice for the Fort Steele area and evacuation of 40 St. Mary’s Band properties.   

The Lamb Creek fire near Moyie remained at 220 hectares and forced the evacuation of 223 properties on the south end of Moyie, as well as 174 properties in the north region of Moyie, Mineral and Monroe lakes.

By late Saturday afternoon, the fire east of Elko was downgraded from more than 600 hectares to 289 hectares, but remained active, and an Evacuation Alert was issued for West Koocanusa and the Newgate area.                       

The latest updates on B.C. wildfires can be found on the government website