Out-of-control wildfire sparked northeast of Radium

A lightning-caused wildfire is out of control near Bugaboo Park, northeast of Radium Hot Springs.

The blaze was discovered on July 9 and has grown to approximately 12 hectares.

It was caused by dry lightning, which BC Wildfire Service director Cliff Chapman says will be getting more frequent.

“It’s really now the lightning that’s the concern even with the little bit of precipitation we got with some of that convective activity,” he said.

“Lightning will be our main source of new ignitions as we move into July and August.”

The fire is not threatening any structures.

Emergency Preparedness Minister Bowinn Ma said the province has been lucky so far this season, but they are expecting the fires to start ramping up.

“While we have had some reprieve in June with cooler temperatures and wet weather we are now entering a period of increasingly challenging wildfire conditions,” she said.

“The good news is in addition to contracted resources we have access to our full complement of firefighting personnel of over 2,000 people, with over 500 currently deployed, on the ground doing the extraordinary work of keeping people safe.”

A full response is underway on the fire.


Something going on in your part of the Kootenays you think people should know about? Send us a news tip by emailing news@myeastkootenaynow.com.

Josiah Spyker
Josiah Spyker
Josiah is an integral part of our East Kootenay team. Since joining Vista Radio in 2021, he has combined his love of community and sport in his reporting for the news team, while also stepping in as an on-air announcer.

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