On the recommendation of the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has expanded the evacuation alert due to the Ponderosa wildfire.
The expanded evacuation area includes the entire Village of Slocan (208 parcels), and 150 parcels in Electoral Area “H”.
The 150 parcels are divided between Enterprise Creek and north of the Village of Slocan, and the west side of the Slocan River, south of the Village of Slocan.
A list of the properties and a map can be found here.
In addition, BCWS and the RDCK have expanded the evacuation alert due to the Aylwin Creek wildfire to include 20 more rural addresses. Those addresses and a map can be found here and here.
The RDCK will hold a public information session for residents of Electoral Area H and the Village of Slocan who are impacted by the Ponderosa and Mulvey Creek wildfires. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, July 24 at 6:00 p.m. at the Winlaw Elementary School gymnasium, 5604 Winlaw Bridge Rd, Winlaw.
Information on the Ponderosa and Mulvey Creek wildfires will be provided. In attendance will be representatives from the BCWS and RDCK Emergency Operations Centre. There will also be an opportunity for residents to ask questions.
At this time residents or visitors within the evacuation alert areas 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.
On July 24, the RDCK applied an extensive area restriction to a large area on the east side of Slocan Lake, banning unauthorized travel. A map of the restricted area can be found here.
As reported by BCWS on July 23, the Ponderosa fire currently measures 151 hectares. The other two nearby fires, Cameronian and Mulvey Creek, are 130 and 187 hectares respectively.
According to BCWS there are currently 103 active wildfires in the Southeast Fire Centre, 75 per cent of which are out of control. There are 18 evacuation orders and 18 alerts.
The Southeast Fire Centre extends from the U.S. border to Mica Dam and from the Okanagan Highlands/west side of the Monashee Mountains to the B.C./Alberta border.
Province-wide there are 369 active wildfires.
