Cooler weather in the forecast, crews keep battling local blazes

The fight against our area’s fires continues and cooler weather is coming.

Horsethief Creek Fire 

The fire has been mapped at 1,975 hectares.

BC Wildfire Service officials said there has been increased fire behaviour this week due to the dry and windy conditions.

Thunderstorms are in the forecast for the next few days which could help crews get a better handle on the fire, but it also brings the chance of more fires being sparked and erratic winds.

An evacuation alert is still in effect for 26 dwellings in the Lake Enid, Bear Mountain and Horsethief Creek Areas.

The fire is believed to have been sparked by lightning and was discovered on July 24.

Yearling Creek Fire

The Yearling Creek blaze is an estimated 1,749 hectares.

Conditions are about the same as in the Horsethief Creek fire.

The BC Wildfire Service is reminding residents that the airspace over the fire is off-limits.

On Aug. 2, a personal drone was seen within the restricted airspace of the Yearling Creek wildfire in dangerous proximity to crews.

Anyone found interfering with wildfire control efforts, including the flying of drones could be hit with up to a year in jail or a $100,000 fine.

Lladnar Creek Fire

This blaze was last mapped at 448 hectares.

Crews said overnight fire behaviour was strong, but lowered by the morning.

Yesterday evening another evacuation alert was issued.

MORE: Evacuation alerts expanded in Sparwood (Aug. 4, 2023)

Crews have not been able to conduct planned burns due to the conditions.

An Incident Command Post is established at the Sparwood Recreation and Leisure Centre.

Other regional wildfires

• The Mia Creek wildfire northeast of Canal Flats has grown to 2,301 hectares as of Monday.
  • The fire was sparked by a lightning strike on July 24.
  • An area restriction around the fire has been put in place.
• The Kamma Creek wildfire west of Moyie Lake is burning across 290 hectares of forest.
  • The fire was first spotted on July 20 and is believed to have been caused by a lightning strike.
• The North Lodgepole Creek wildfire northeast of Elko has grown to nine hectares.
  • The fire was caused by lightning and was first spotted on Monday.
• The Lum Creek wildfire is believed to be 26 hectares and was spotted northeast of Fort Steele.
  • It was also reported on Monday and is believed to be caused by lightning.
• The St. Mary River fire remains at 4,640 Hectares and has been downgraded to being held.