Latest Update
An evacuation order remains in effect for the Ta Ta Creek, Wasa Lake and Lazy Lake areas as the Wait Creek wildfire continues to grow in the East Kootenay.
The Regional District of East Kootenay said the order affects about 972 dwellings, including a number of campsites. Emergency officials expanded the order Saturday after a tactical evacuation was carried out in response to rapidly changing fire conditions.
“This afternoon a tactical evacuation was performed by emergency personnel in response to the rapidly evolving situation of the Wait Creek wildfire and the Evacuation Order was then expanded to include the Wasa and Lazy Lake areas,” Regional Emergency Operations Centre Information Officer Loree Duczek said.
An Emergency Support Services reception centre has been set up at Parkland Middle School, 1115 Second Ave. S., in Cranbrook for evacuated residents. Officials are asking evacuees to register at the reception centre or online at ess.gov.bc.ca. The reception centre is scheduled to remain open until 3 a.m. before reopening Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Salvation Army is providing breakfast, lunch and dinner for evacuees at the Cranbrook Curling Centre.
Residents seeking updated wildfire information can call the Regional District information line at 250-426-2188 or 1-855-346-2188. When staff are unavailable, callers will hear a recorded message with the latest information and can leave a message requesting a return call.
The BC Wildfire Service has designated the Wait Creek wildfire a Fire of Note and continues to post updates on its website.
Anyone interested in volunteering with local Emergency Support Services teams can find more information and apply through the Regional District of East Kootenay website.
A map of the evacuation order and the full order are available at www.rdek.bc.ca.
Residents are encouraged to monitor the Regional District and BC Wildfire Service websites for the latest updates as fire conditions continue to change.
Update One
The Regional District of East Kootenay has expanded the evacuation order for the Wait Creek wildfire to include the Ta Ta Creek, Wasa Lake and Lazy Lake areas as the fire continued to grow in windy conditions.
Officials said rapidly changing fire behaviour prompted the expansion. They also said an error in the Evacuation Notification System resulted in several properties in the Meadowbrook area receiving evacuation alerts even though they are outside the evacuation order boundary.
According to the RDEK, the evacuation order extends from the Thomason Road boundary at Clarricoates Road east toward Ta Ta Creek. A corrected notification is expected to be issued and posted on the RDEK website.
Search and Rescue teams have completed door-to-door notifications in the Ta Ta Creek portion of the evacuation order area and are now notifying residents in the Wasa and Lazy Lake areas.
Officials said Highway 95A is closed. Highway 93 is also closed from just south of Wasa to the junction.
Residents are encouraged to monitor official sources for the latest information, including DriveBC for road closures and the BC Wildfire Service website, where the Wait Creek wildfire has been designated a Fire of Note.
The RDEK said its website is experiencing unusually high traffic volumes, which may result in delays accessing information.
Officials said they will continue to provide updates as they become available and apologized for the confusion caused by the notification error, noting the wildfire situation is changing rapidly.
People needing help relocating livestock or pets can text 250-409-4936 to arrange drop-off with Marie Brauer, store manager at Top Crop Garden Farm and Pet, or reach out to the B.C. SPCA East Kootenay.
Meanwhile, the Canadian Rockies International Airport says operations continue as normal with no anticipated disruptions. Travellers should check directly with their airline for the latest flight information, as conditions can change quickly.
Airport officials are also asking the public not to call the airport administrative office for wildfire updates.
Original Story
A tactical evacuation is underway for homes closest to a wildfire burning near Ta Ta Creek as crews respond to four new fires in the East Kootenay.
Emergency personnel were conducting door-to-door notifications Saturday, Aug. 1, for residents nearest the fire, located off Highway 95A. Officials said a formal evacuation order will be issued once the evacuation boundary is confirmed.
Highway 95A is closed in the area of the fire.
Officials urged residents and recreational users in the Ta Ta Creek area to prepare to leave at a moment’s notice and to follow directions from first responders if instructed to evacuate.
Three other new wildfires were also reported Saturday.
Crews and aircraft are responding to a fire northwest of the Koocanusa Bridge near the Regional District of East Kootenay boat launch, and to antoehr fire in the Skookumchuck Creek area near Farstad Way.
Suppression activities are underway on a fire in the Fairmont area, also known as the Coys area.
Officials said more information will be released as it becomes available.
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