Evacuation alert: Duhamel wildfire

10 pm Saturday.

The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Emergency Operations Centre has imposed an evacuation alert concerning the wildfire burning on the North Shore outside of Nelson.

Residents in the area between Sitkum Creek South and Willow Point (Six Mile Lakes Road) are affected by this precautionary measure , due to erratic wind conditions. Residents will be notified should conditions worsen.

RDCK mapping indicates there are approximately 350 residences in the impacted area. The alert will be in effect until further notice.

The Emergency Operations Centre is currently functioning at Level One.

Please check the RDCK’s website, www.rdck.ca and Facebook page, www.facebook.com/rdcentralkootenay for further updates.

***

9:24 pm

A wildfire on the North Shore of Kootenay Lake between Sitkum and Duhamel Creeks experienced significant growth today, and the fire now covers an estimated 60 hectares.

The Regional District of Central Kootenay has issued an Evacuation Alert in the area. For more information on this Alert, please visit: http://www.rdck.ca

The fire is highly visible from the city of Nelson, surrounding areas and Highway 3A.

The current fire danger rating in the majority of the Southeast Fire Centre is “high,” with some pockets rated “extreme” near Midway, Grand Forks, Kaslo and Revelstoke.

*** 4:30 pm

The BC Wildfire Service released the following information late Saturday afternoon.

Crews are  responding to a wildfire between Duhamel and Sitkum Creek, four kilometres north of Kootenay Lake. The fire covers an estimated 10 hectares and no structures or communities are immediately at risk at this time.

This fire is highly visible from the city of Nelson, surrounding areas and Highway 3A. BC Wildfire Service is conducting a full response to this fire, including multiple helicopters and airtankers supporting crews on the ground.

The BC Wildfire Service has responded to 88 wildfires in the Southeast Fire Centre since Saturday, June 27. The majority of them have been small, spot-sized wildfires and none of these are currently threatening any properties or infrastructure.

With hot and dry conditions forecast through next week and the potential for more thunderstorms, the Southeast Fire Centre is urging the public to be extra cautious in the backcountry. All person-caused fires are preventable and these incidents may affect the ability of the firefighting crews to respond to naturally occurring fires.