Akokli and Cultus Creek Fire Updates

Akokli Creek (N71686)

Updated July 29, 2021

The Akokli Creek Wildfire, originated approximately 7 kilometres from Boswell, remains active and is currently listed as a wildfire of note by BCWS. Resources on the fire include 54 firefighters, three helicopters and four pieces of heavy equipment. CL-215 planes, or water skimmers (pick up water from the lake to use on the fire) have been busy working on the fire most of the day. For more information on the wildfire and current area restrictions refer to BCWS Wildfires of Note Page, BCWS Facebook and BCWS Twitter.

An Evacuation ALERT from the RDCK remains in place for the communities of Boswell and Sanca on the east shore of the south arm of Kootenay Lake in Electoral Area A.

Last updated: Monday July 26, 2021 at 15:23 PM: The Akokli Creek Wildfire, located approximately 7 kilometres from Boswell, remains active and is currently listed as a wildfire of note by BCWS. The fire currently remains within the containment lines. Crews are reinforcing along the fire guard from Akokli Creek drainage to the western aspect, where the fire has come close to the containment line. Crews will remain on site over night to monitor the fire and action it where it is safe to do so. It is estimated to be 1,912 hectares. For more information on the wildfire and current area restrictions refer to BCWS Wildfires of Note Page, BCWS Facebook and BCWS Twitter.

An Evacuation ALERT from the RDCK remains in place for the communities of Boswell and Sanca on the east shore of the south arm of Kootenay Lake in Electoral Area A.

Location: Originated 7 kilometres from Boswell
• See approximate location of this wildfire on an interactive map
• View an interactive map of all active Wildfires of Note.

Discovered: Friday, July 9, 2021

Size: 1,912.0 hectares (estimated)

Status: Active
The fire is predominantly along the ridgetop and is highly visible from Boswell, Creston and surrounding areas, as well as to those travelling along Hwy 3A.

Interface: Interface Fire

Evacuation Alert is in effect.

The Regional District of Central Kootenay has implemented an evacuation alert in the vicinity of this fire.

Visit the Regional District of Central Kootenay website for the latest information on evacuation orders and alerts.

More information
In the interest of public safety, an area restriction is in effect for the Akokli and Redding Creek areas. To view a map of the restricted area, visit: BC Wildfire News

The restricted area is described as:
-Commencing at highway 3A Junction of Gray Creek Pass Forest Service Road (FSR), south to the junction of Sanca Creek and highway 3A, east following Sanca Creek to the height of land east of Jackson Peak, then north following the height of land to Redding Creek FSR.
-West on the Redding Creek FSR to the Gray Creek Pass FSR, continuing to the commencement point at highway 3A.
-Lockhart Beach Provincial Park and campgrounds adjacent to highway 3A are not included in the area restriction.
-Note: Access along the Gray Creek Pass FSR and Redding Creek FSR is permitted but entrance into the restricted area from those FSRs is prohibited.

Under this Order and section 11(2) of the Wildfire Act, a person must not remain in or enter the restricted area, unless the person:
1.) first receives written authorization of an official designated for the purposes of the Wildfire Act, or
2.) enters the area only in the course of:
(a) travelling to or from his or her residence, that is not under an evacuation order;
(b) using a highway as defined in the Transportation Act;
(c) travelling as a person acting in an official capacity as defined in s.56 of the Wildfire Act; or
(d) travelling for the purpose of supporting wildfire suppression or enforcement patrol activities.

For media inquiries contact:
Fire Information Officer
BCWS.SEFCInformationOfficer@gov.bc.ca
250 318-7715

Cause: Lightning

Resources
• 40 firefighters
• 4 helicopters
• 4 heavy equipment
Crews are working to build a contingency line with support from heavy equipment and helicopters. Firefighters are mopping up and reinforcing along the fire guard from the Akokli Creek drainage to the western aspect, where the fire has come close to the containment line. A heavy equipment guard has been constructed from the Akokli Creek drainage northward past McGregor Creek to Holiday Creek. The fire remains primarily above this containment line.

Map & Photos: See the 4 files for this fire.

Links for more information about fires in general

EmergencyInfoBC Online source for emergency alerts
DriveBC Road conditions and closures
BC Air Quality The Air Quality Health Index is a health protection tool that is designed to help you make decisions to protect your health by limiting short-term exposure to air pollution and adjusting your activity levels during increased levels of air pollution.

Recent articles for this fire

Update on the five wildfires of note burning in the southeast Fire Centre Bulletin – 7/20/2021 4:55:00 PM

Evacuation Order for Cultus Creek wildfire reduced to an Alert – July 25, 2021

Click here to view on the RDCK website

Nelson, BC: On the recommendation of the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) has reduced the Evacuation Order for the Cultus Creek wildfire to an Evacuation Alert. The Alert area, due to the Cultus Creek wildfire (N71245), is for areas from south of Next Creek to north of Midge Creek, located in Electoral Area A on the west shore of the south arm of Kootenay Lake. This reduction to an Alert means residents can return to their properties, but must be prepared to leave should conditions change. See map of Evacuation Alert area below.

Residents or visitors within the area are not required to evacuate, however the RDCK advises people to remain vigilant and be prepared to leave the area at a moment’s notice. It is recommended to prepare an emergency kit and ensure preparedness, including moving pets and livestock to a safe area, in the event the situation worsens and an Evacuation Order is enforced. Part of your plan should include where you can go if evacuated.

The Cultus Creek wildfire was first discovered on July 2 and estimated at 2,665 hectares. The BCWS has determined the cause to be lightning. For more information on the wildfire go the BCWS Wildfire of Notes Page.

Updates or changes to the Evacuation Alert will be provided via the RDCK website, Facebook and Twitter as more information becomes available. For details about evacuations and emergency preparedness, along with other resources, please visit www.rdck.ca/eocinfo.

For up to date information on current wildfire activity, conditions and prohibitions, call 1 888 3-FOREST (1 888-336-7378) or visit www.bcwildfire.ca.

For more information about evacuations and emergency preparedness, along with other resources:

· Current RDCK Evacuation Alerts, Orders and Rescinds: www.rdck.ca/eocinfo or call 250-352-7701

· Sign up for RDCK Emergency Notification System to receive notifications

· BC Wildfire – Interactive Map of Current Fires

· Public weather alerts for BC from Environment Canada

· Highway closures and conditions from DriveBC

· For the BC Air Quality Health Index

· Emergency preparedness information and tips from the Prepared BC website

Dan Elliott | EOC Information Officer

Regional District of Central Kootenay

Phone: 250.352.7701 | Cell: 250.354.3476 | Fax: 250.352.9300

rdck.ca

BE PREPARED

Now is the time to prepare for a potential evacuation. Follow the links below for valuable resources on how to make an emergency plan and prepare your grab and go bag. This includes preparing for your animals and livestock to be relocated. Residents in the affected Evacuation Order and Alert areas are encouraged to stay with friends and family.

Sign up for the RDCK Emergency Notification system and become FireSmart by having a FREE FireSmart assessment done on your home.

PreparedBC

Wildfire Preparedness Guide

FireSmart

Livestock Relocation

EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS

· In case of emergency dial 911

· RDCK Emergency Operations Centre Inquiry Line 250-352-7701

· BC Wildfire 1-800-663-5555 or *5555

· BC Hydro 1-800-224-9376

· Fortis BC 1-866-436-7847