An evacuation alert remains in effect from Renata to the community of Shields. There were a number of fires in the area which have now merged into one – the Bulldog Mountain wildfire, formerly the South of Renata Creek wildfire. It’s currently estimated at 605 hectares in size and the Regional District of Central Kootenay says they are preparing to deploy a Structural Protection Unit (SPU) and crews for Renata. An SPU is a mobile unit that dampens roofs and areas around structures to help prevent structural fires from igniting. There is an area restriction in effect within the boundary of Dog Creek, Grass Creek, Bulldog Eight Forest Service Road and the height of land connecting the noted perimeters.
The McArthur Creek wildfire located southeast of Salmo is still at roughly 200 hectares in size. There is an evacuation order in effect for the Sheep Creek Road area.
And according to the BC Wildfire Service website, the North of Syringa wildfire is currently 146 hectares in size. It’s located in Syringa Provincial Park west of Castlegar.
The Air Quality Index is currently at 10+ in Castlegar, which is ‘Very High Risk’.