More good news in the past few days about the Syringa Complex of wildfires. Syringa Creek, Deer Creek, Bulldog Mountain, North of Bowman Creek, and Michaud Creek are classified as being held and are not expected to spread beyond their current boundaries.
The Regional District of Central Kootenay lifted the evacuation alert for Renata and the area south-east to Brooklyn as well on Saturday, September 15. This means that all Evacuation Alerts and Orders have now been lifted.
Emergency Program Manager for the RDCK, Chris Johnson cautions the public that there are still potential dangers: “If you are going into backcountry areas that have been affected by wildfires, please use caution and watch for things like danger trees, unstable terrain and damaged trails.”
There are two changes to the area restrictions on the Syringa Complex.
* The area restriction that is in effect for the area north of the Rialto Forest Service Road (FSR) no longer prohibits access to the gun range on Rialto FSR. The area restriction now starts at the junction of the gun range access point on Rialto FSR, along Broadwater Road and Deer Park Forest Service Road. The boundary includes the area west of Oak Road and north to Mount Stanley. Find a detailed map here.
* Effective noon, Sept. 16, 2018, the area restriction for the area including Renata, south of Dog Creek and Faith Creek south to Dog Road has been rescinded. However, wildfire personnel along with helicopters are still working in the area and the public must respect all signs along the roads for their safety and the safety of firefighting crews.
A voluntary trail closure remains in effect for the Columbia Western Rail Trail, starting at the west end of Arrow Lake Drive, south of the Hugh Keenleyside Dam, to the Paulson Detour Road and rail trail intersection at the trailhead kiosk). This trail is being used by fire crews, so the public is being asked to refrain from using the trail at this time.