British Columbia expects increased wildfire behaviour for days in Kootenay Lake area as temperatures increase

British Columbia’s Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations said on Tuesday that “with the return of hot and dry conditions in the [Kootenay Lake] region, wildfire behaviour will likely increase through Thursday as temperatures increase and humidity levels decrease.”

The ministry said that smoke from the Sitkum Creek wildfire on the north shore of Kootenay Lake will continue to be visible in nearby areas as combustible material within the fire’s perimeter continues to burn. The fire – discovered on July 4 – is located about four kilometres north of Kootenay Lake, between Sitkum and Duhamel Creeks and is about 90% contained.

“The smoke is emanating from pockets of unburned fuel well within the fire’s secure containment lines,” the ministry said in a press release. “Depending on local weather conditions, these small, contained fires may flare up occasionally, but they pose no threat to any communities or structures.”

The site is being monitored by BC Wildfire Service personnel.

Due to the extensive use of controlled “burn-out” operations, there are solid containment lines around the fire’s perimeter. “The smoke that is currently visible was expected, since not every hot spot was extinguished on this 777-hectare fire,” the release said.

The fire danger rating for large areas of the Southeast Fire Centre is “high,” with some areas “extreme.” Fire danger ratings are expected to increase over the next few days.

Photo of Duhamel Sitkum wildfire on Saturday night, July 4, by Joe Hawes. #BCwildfire #NelsonBC pic.twitter.com/D2EsFxJ1P7

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