Columbia Valley Pioneer Staff
The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) is brainstorming suppression tactics to combat the Horsethief Creek wildfire (on Mount Bruce) spurred by Columbia Valley winds.
Crews responded earlier today when the fire broke out approximately seven kilometres north of Panorama Mountain Resort and 10 kilometres west of the District of Invermere. At that time the size was approximately 70 hectares.
It is suspected the fire was caused by lightning this afternoon.
“Aggressive fire behaviour is being driven by a cold front causing southwest winds that are gusting in the 45-kilometre an hour range,” said the BCWS. “As this is a new and emerging incident, a response officer is flying the area. Here, the officer will plan a suppression strategy and tactics that are the most effective with the type of fire behaviour that this fire is exhibiting.”
The Pioneer is awaiting further updates on the size of the fire, direction of travel, and if any alerts have been issued.
(Photo by BCWS)
Own a property in Radium & would really like to know what is happening.
We have been informed that the RDEK will be publishing an announcement (possibly an alert) this evening. We will post that once it becomes available.
An evacuation alert has been issued for four areas. See updated story for details.