The Wildfire Management Branch is monitoring two fires near Wee Sandy Creek and a third wildfire near Beatrice Creek in Valhalla Provincial Park. Smoke from these fires is visible from New Denver, Silverton and along Highway 6.
A statement from the Southeast Fire Centre in Castlegar said these wildfires were all caused by lightning strikes. They are burning in remote areas of the park and are not currently threatening any trails, structures or communities.
- Wee Sandy Creek Fire #1: 10 hectares, 2.5 km west of Slocan Lake. Smoke from this fire is visible in New Denver and Silverton.
- Wee Sandy Creek Fire #2: two hectares, 8.5 km west of Slocan Lake.
- Beatrice Creek Fire: four hectares, 3.3 km west of Slocan Lake.
Due to the ecological benefits of fire and the remote location and steep terrain, the Wildfire Management Branch and BC Parks are monitoring the wildfires but not suppressing them. The Wildfire Management Branch is working with BC Parks to monitor these wildfires and protect trails, tenting areas and other values.
Updates regarding the recreational use of Valhalla Provincial Park are posted on the BC Parks website: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/valhalla/
Allowing naturally caused fires to occur in remote areas of Valhalla Park is in line with BC Parks’ Fire Management Plan. Fire is a natural process in our environment. It is beneficial and helps maintain a healthy forest and a diversity of plant and animal life.
The Fire Danger Rating in the Southeast Fire Centre is currently “moderate” to “high”, with a pocket of “extreme” near Grand Forks. As of Sept. 3, 305 wildfires have burned 587 hectares in the Southeast Fire Centre. Of those fires, 263 were caused by lightning and the rest were caused by people.
The Southeast Fire Centre would like to thank the public for their help reporting wildfires during last week’s increased activity and for their diligence with safe campfire use in this period of elevated fire danger. To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.
