Harrop Creek fire now estimated at 650 hectares

The BC Wildfire service says the Rapid Creek wildfire in the Lardeau Valley is now estimated to cover 500 hectares.

That’s up from 300 hectares reported yesterday. Information officer Carlee Kachman says they were able to get a more accurate estimate due to better visibility during a flyover.

The fire is about four kilometres southwest of Highway 31 and has resulted in the Regional District of Central Kootenay issuing an evacuation alert for the Poplar Creek area, affecting 14 people.

Six RDCK firefighters have set up a sprinkler protection unit in the area.

Harrop Creek wildfire

The Harrop Creek wildfire, about 10 kilometres south of Harrop and Procter, is estimated to cover 650 hectares. Some growth has occurred on the fire’s east flank.

Kachman says ground crews are working on this fire.

The BC Wildfire Service says heavy equipment has been moved across Harrop Creek to start constructing fire guards but measures are being taken to prevent disturbance to the creek.

The Glacier Creek wildfire is about 26 km northeast of Cooper Creek and estimated at 70 hectares.

Recent growth of this fire resulted in a road restriction being placed on the Duncan-Glacier Creek Forest Service Road, starting at the MacBeth Icefields turnoff at the 19 km mark. A map indicating the area affected by this road restriction is available online at: http://ow.ly/ccaN30e3NZz

“Fire activity and fire behaviour can change quickly, so members of the public are urged to remain vigilant and be extremely careful with any activity that could potentially spark a new wildfire,” the BC Wildfire Service said in a news release. 

“The combination of complex terrain, remote location and aggressive fire behavior has created unsafe working environments for ground crews on some wildfires in the Southeast Fire Centre. These modified response fires continue to be monitored from the air to ensure that they remain within a specific area and meet land management guidelines.

“It is important to remember that wildfire can be beneficial for ecosystems and, where infrastructure or communities are not threatened, it may be more appropriate to let the wildfire burn.”