While the onset of the wildfire season was later than usual, at least 13 small fires are now burning throughout the West Kootenay/Boundary, most caused by lightning over the last three days and most smaller than one hectare.
• Five fires are clustered around Frog Peak, about 6.5 kilometers west of Passmore in the Slocan Valley. They are all one hectare or smaller. The BC Wildfire Service says there are two initial attack crews and two helicopters working on this cluster in a priority sequence, meaning fires closest to communities get hit first. But no buildings are threatened right now.
• The Mount Ferguson fire is burning about four kilometers south of Harrop. It’s about 1.5 hectares and not threatening any homes. BC Wildfire says it has two rapattack crews and an initial attack crew on scene being supported by two helicopters to cool the fire and move resources in difficult terrain.
“Ground crews are focused on fire suppression, building a helipad, and creating water delivery access,” they said.
• The Halfway Creek fire is 2.5 kilometers east of Salmo and is less than one hectare. It’s burning in rocky and mountainous terrain. An initial attack crew is en route and while it is visible to the surrounding communities, it’s not threatening any structures.
Other fires, according to the BC Wildfire Dashboard, are as follows. With a few exceptions, all broke out Friday and Saturday due to lightning.
• Cove Creek, west side of Slocan Lake in Valhalla Provincial Park, 0.01 hectare.
• Whatshan Lake, 0.53 hectare.
• Wales Forest Service Road, east of Christina Lake, 0.3 hectare.
• Wally Creek, southwest of Ymir, 0.02 hectare. Broke out Thursday and now under control.
• Winlaw Creek, 0.01 hectare. Broke out Sunday. Cause unknown.
• State Creek, 0.2 hectares, in the Beaverdell Range.