East Kootenay wildfire update Monday, Aug. 12

One new fire was sparked over the weekend, but BC Wildfire Service crews have already gotten it under control.

The fire was discovered on Aug. 11 near Ta Ta Creek west of Wasa.

It grew to 2.1 hectares and is believed to be human-caused.

Out of Control wildfires:

Mount Morro – N21014 – Located in Top of the World Provincial Park (currently closed)

  • Size – 11,894 hectares
  • Suspected cause – lightning
  • Discovered on July 17, 2024
  • An Incident Management team has been assigned to the fire.
  • This fire originated at high elevation on Mount Morro, in extremely steep terrain that is inaccessible to crews.
  • This fire is classified as a modified response. Wildfire Officers and an initial attack crew have worked with BC Parks to protect park values.
  • Structure protection has been established on cabins outside of the park in areas of concern.
  • The evacuation for four properties, the Home Basin Campground and Inlet Creek Campground has been rescinded.
  • The area restriction in place was modified and shrunk along the north and south sides of the fire.

More: BC Wildfire Service shrinks restricted area around two local wildfires (Aug 7, 2024)

Dogtooth FSR – N21427

  • Size – 5,670 hectares
  • Suspected cause – Lightning
  • Discovered on July 22, 2024. Remains a wildfire of note.
  • Overnight drone scans have identified hot spots in which fire crews will work to locate and extinguish.
  • Firefighters completed hand ignitions along the northern flank of the blaze and have established patrol lines.
  • The Town of Golden confirmed that at least six homes have been destroyed along Rauch Road.
  • Structure protection teams are keeping up with assessments and proactive triage of community areas.
  • An Incident Management team has been assigned to the fire.
  • An evacuation order remains in place for Malone Road, Parson River Crossing FSR and Thomas Road.
  • The Town of Golden has rescinded the evacuation order for 720 properties south of Champagne Road to Hawkins Road.⁣
  • The alert is still in place ⁣for 332 properties from Hawkins Road to approximately two kilometres south of Parson⁣.
  • An area restriction is in place.

More: Evacuation alert partially rescinded for Dogtooth blaze (Aug 7, 2024)

Lost Dog – N21284

  • Size – 899.4 hectares
  • Suspected cause – Lightning
  • Discovered on July 20, 2024.
  • Helicopters will be seen in the area of these fires as they are being flown regularly for reconnaissance.
  • BC Wildfire Service officials said direct attack suppression on the north flank was successful and it kept the fire south of Skookumchuck Creek.
  • An area restriction has been put in place.
  • Rain and humidity have reduced wildfire activity to smouldering ground fires.
  • There are currently two initial attack crews, four contract crews and three single resources responding to the fire.

MORE: Area restriction in effect for Lost Dog area (July 29, 2024)

Ravens Head – N21610

  • Size – 8,601 hectares
  • Suspected cause – Under investigation
  • Discovered on July 24, 2024
  • The evacuation order for nine properties in the Palliser/Cross River area has been rescinded.
  • This includes Nipika Mountain Resort, Cross River Education and Retreat Centre, Cross River Forest Service Road and Cross River Canyon Recreation Site.
  • Due to safety concerns, travel on the Kootenay-Settlers FSR (Ravenshead) and Palliser FSR’s is not permitted at this time. This will be reviewed daily.
  • The area restriction was reduced along the south side of the fire.

More: BC Wildfire Service shrinks restricted area around two local wildfires (Aug 7, 2024)

Bradford Creek – N11212 

  • Size – 41 hectares
  • Suspected cause – Lightning
  • Discovered on July 19, 2024
  • Steep, rocky terrain has presented safety hazards to ground crews.
  • Direct attack tactics are being used on the parts of the fire that are closest to the valley bottom.
  • Helicopters will be seen in the area of these fires as they are being flown regularly for reconnaissance.
  • Rain and humidity have reduced wildfire activity to smouldering ground fires.

Wildfire being held:

None at this time.

Wildfires under control:

Ta Ta Creek – N12086

  • Size – 2.1 hectares
  • Suspected cause – Human
  • Discovered on Aug. 11.

For more information on specific wildfires in the region contact the Southeast Fire Centre at BCWS.SEFCInformationOfficer@gov.bc.ca or 250-318-7715.

More Information

The BC Wildfire Service is the primary source of information for all wildfire activity.

Regional District East Kootenay (RDEK) is the primary source of information for evacuation orders and evacuation alerts.

Drive BC for all information on roads and road closures.


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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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