Photo: BC Wildfire Service
The fire of Mt. Ferguson is burning about four kilometers from the village of Harrop.
The Southeast Fire Station is now the most active in the province.
Between Thursday and Saturday, more than 20 wildfires were sparked by a series of storms that passed through lightning and little precipitation.
“So far in the Southeast, we’ve had 23 new starts since Thursday evening,” said fire information officer Kim Wright.
“Most of these starts are mid to high height initial strike targets. So they’re smaller fires right now.”
The fire of greatest concern is east of Nelson along the Kootenay River.
“We have the Mt Ferguson fire, which is about four kilometers from the community of Harrop,” explains Wright. “It is estimated to be 1.5 acres and is not threatening any structures at this time.”
There are two rap attack teams, dropping from helicopters and an initial attack team working on the fire.
“So they’re working to suppress the fire, they’re building helicopter pads and creating better access for water delivery,” Wright said, adding that two helicopters are on the scene cooling the fire and they move resources around in the difficult terrain.
There is also a cluster of lightning-started fires on Frog Peak, west of Highway 6. Helicopters and first attack teams are working on these small fires. Tankers put fire retardant in the area on Saturday and are available if there are flames.
Wright notes that storms were in the forecast, so BC’s wildfire service had extra crews and aviation resources primed and ready to go.
The fire danger rating in the southeast fire center is mostly moderate to high with some extreme pockets, but warm, dry weather is settling in.
“Our weather is forecast to remain well above seasonal normals for this time,” he said.
“We’re just asking people to be careful when they go out, to be careful with campfire use. We’re not in a campfire ban yet.”
Wright urges people living in the area to protect their homes and businesses by using FireSmart principles, taking simple steps like keeping grass cut and keeping firewood away from homes.
Photo: BCWS map
Lightning caused more than 20 wildfires in the Southeast Fire Center between July 21 and 23, 2022.