Wildfire threatens Kootenay homes
Forest fire risk in Trail rated as extreme
Last Updated: Monday, July 30, 2007 | 4:32 PM PT
The Canadian Press
An evacuation alert has been issued Monday for 10 homes in the path of a wildfire just northeast of Slocan City, B.C.
Forest Service information officer Corwin Odland said the Springer Creek fire covers six square kilometres and was moving away from the homes Monday, but the alert means the residents may have to leave on short notice if the flames change direction.
Meanwhile, the Sitkum Creek fire, 13 kilometres southeast of Nelson, has grown to about seven square kilometres.
Although highly visible from Nelson, the fire is in a remote area and poses no threat to any structures.
On the other hand, the fire risk in the Trail area is rated as extreme after what is shaping up to be the hottest July on record.
Crews from the Southeast Fire Centre and Regional Fire Rescue were called to a blaze along the road to a local picnic ground Saturday afternoon.
"They got a good handle on it quickly and were able to put it out," said Karlie Shaughnessy, a provincial fire information officer.
The cause of the fire has not been determined, but Shaughnessy noted there were no lightning strikes in the area.
Castlegar has been the hotspot in the country for several days running, with highs of 37 C on Thursday and Friday and 36 C Saturday.
Trail has recorded highs ranging from 34 C to 36 C.
"This month stands to go down as the hottest July on record," said Ron Lakeman, a forecaster at the Southeast Fire Centre, located at the Castlegar Airport.
The heat wave is expected to ease a bit this week, but there is no rain in sight, he added.
On Sunday, there were three unit crews with 60 personnel working on the fire in the Trail area, which is at a very high elevation, said Shaughnessy. Helicopters, air tankers and heavy equipment were supporting crews working on the fire.
More crews are expected to arrive Monday and the cause of the fire is unknown and under investigation, Shaughnessy said.
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