Fire Activity: 

Since April 1, the Southeast Fire Centre has seen a total of 55 fires, which have burned 172 hectares. In the past 24 hours, Wildfire Management Branch crews responded to fires in the Boundary and Cran‐brook Zones. See photos on right for more informa‐tion.  

Ongoing Campfire Issues: 

Since last Thursday, there have been 29 incidents involving improper or dangerous campfire use in the Southeast, raising the number of incidents to 104 this season. Most of these 29 incidents, which in‐clude unattended and abandoned campfires, took place over the weekend.  Of course, every person‐caused fire is preventable. These incidents tie‐up valuable resources and may delay our crews from responding to a naturally oc‐curring fire, or prevent their ability to deploy to other places in the province or country where ur‐gent help may be need.  We need the public to respect and follow campfire regulations, and the open fire prohibition which went into effect July 8th.    The fine for lighting, fueling, or using a campfire against regulation is $345. If a fire escapes, you may be held liable for all suppression costs.  Although the Fire Centre will be closely monitoring precipitation levels, drying patterns and lightning as we continue through this heat wave, it is impossible to accurately predict the severity of each forest fire season or where fires will burn. To report a wildfire or unattended campfire call 1‐800‐663‐5555, or *5555 on most cellular networks. For more informa‐tion on open fire restrictions or updates on current wildfire activity, visit: www.bcwildfire.ca 

Southeast Fire Centre 2013.07.24 

 

 

Kikomun Creek Fire: This fire near Baynes Lake was discovered 

on the afternoon of July 23. Air tankers dropped retardant, 

and 12 Wildfire Management Branch firefighters worked on 

this fire. The fire is estimated to be just under one hectare in 

size. The fire is now contained and being patrolled by Wildfire 

Management Branch personnel. The cause of the fire is under 

investigation.   

Stewart Creek Fire: This fire is near the west shore of Christina Lake and was discovered on the afternoon of July 23. Air Tankers and 14 firefighting personnel have responded and established gaurd and a fuel free area around the entire fire. This fire is lightning‐caused, and estimated to be 0.2 hectares in size.  It is currently in mop‐up status. 

P A G E 2

Precipitation  

Temperature   Relative Humidity 

These graphs are for informational purposes only and should not be used to base operational decisions 

Fire Danger Rating 

These maps are current for July 24, 2013.  

For the most recent weather maps, please see www.bcwildfire.ca/weather 

P A G E 3  

Most recent forecast for the Southeast Valid as of Wednesday July 24, 2013

Hot and dry conditions continue across the zones with a westerly mid level flow and a flat upper ridge. Mid 30s will be common again today across the south, with slightly lower values to the north. Humidities con-tinue to dry out with many places into the low 20 pc range or below. An inverted surface trough persists north/south through western sections. This is giving rise to pooling of more moist air at low levels over far east-ern sections, which has the potential to generate isolated thunderstorms, and associated brief strong and gusty outflow winds. A couple of such rogue cells crossed the Invermere zone last night, and unfortunately this possibility cant be ruled out for later today and tonight again, since the setup is essentially the same. Near the Rockies is where the greatest risk for thunderstorms lies. Winds today will be light northerly or variable and terrain driven, locally moderate in the afternoon. Tomorrow looks similar to today. Temperatures could even be a shade hotter. Late day lightning near the Rockies still cant be ruled out. OUTLOOK: A change begins on Friday as an upper low drops south over BC from the Gulf of Alaska. Hot temperatures will continue for one more day, but the surface trough will tend to shift east, possibly generating a bit more in the way of westerly winds. Also the risk of lightning over Eastern sections will peter out. Saturday and Sunday will see more comfortable temperatures with daytime highs back into the upper 20s, and an increas-ing chance for showers and thundershowers day by day especially over the northern zones. 6 to 10 DAY: Cooler conditions continue Monday with a chance for show-ers. Models have the upper low opening up and a southwest flow develop-ing, with warming to slightly above average temperatures by mid week. One scenario brings up some more significant moisture from the south Tuesday for more widespread thunderstorms and showers. Will have to keep an eye on this one but confidence isn’t great on it.

BOUNDARY ZONE  TODAY: Sunny. MAX TEMP: 33 to 36. MIN RH: 15 to 30% 

 ARROW / KOOTENAY LAKE  TODAY: Sunny. MAX TEMP: 32 to 36. MIN RH: 15 to 30%

 CRANBROOK / INVERMERE  TODAY: Mainly sunny. Isolated afternoon showers or thunderstorms. MAX TEMP: 29 to 34. MIN RH: 15 to 35% 

 REVELSTOKE / GOLDEN  TODAY: Sunny with a few afternoon cloudy periods. Isolated afternoon showers or thunderstorms. MAX TEMP: 28 to 32. MIN RH: 20 to 35%

Southeast Fire    Centre Statistics 

 

Totals since April 1, 2013: 

Fires to date: 55 

Hectares burned: 172 

Person caused fires: 28 

Lightning caused fires: 27 

 

2012 at this time: 

Fires to date: 30 

Hectares burned: 167 

Person caused fires:  21 

Lightning caused fires: 9 

 

2011 at this time: 

Fires to date: 29 

Hectares burned: 26 

Person caused fires: 20 

Lightning caused fires: 9 

 

P A G E 4

Danger Class    For more information: http://bcwildfire.ca/Weather/danger.htm 

A Message to Industry from the Southeast Fire Centre 

Industry and Stakeholder Online Resources 

For information about high risk activity  

restrictions, details about the Wildfire Act and 

Regulations, prescribed fire guidelines and  

information for contract crews, aircraft and equip‐

ment suppliers, please visit the link below.   

http://www.bcwildfire.ca/

Industry_Stakeholders/ 

P A G E 5

With the current hot weather, Danger Class and fire risk continues to escalate. As the fire danger increases, so too 

does the expectation of a person to be adequately prepared for a suppression response associated with industrial 

or high risk activities. The SEFC encourages people engaging in industrial and high risk activities to ensure that they 

are in compliance with the Wildfire Act and Regulation. 

 

Please pay particular attention to the Fire Danger Class in your area (see page 4) and ensure you are using the ap‐propriate weather station data for the area in which you are operating and adhere to the shutdown formulas as per our regulations. For access to the Danger Class Report, please visit our website at www.bcwildfire.ca and look under “Fire Danger Rating.”  Remember, if you see or cause a wildfire, you have an obligation to report it, take action with available resources and extinguish it, if practicable.  Please ensure that you are carrying out your industrial operations in accordance with the Wildfire Act and Wildfire Regulation.  The Wildfire Management Branch appreciates the forest industry and other stakeholders continued cooperation 

and efforts at fire prevention and reporting. 

Visit www.bcwildfire.ca for more information