BC Wildfire Service - Southeast Wildfires of Note http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations: BC Wildfire Service Copyright 2016, Province of British Columbia en-ca Fri, 16 Sep 2022 10:49:00 PST <![CDATA[Fry Creek]]> http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=892
Size: Based on mapping obtained on September 15, the fire size remains at 900 hectares.

Area Restriction: An area restriction remians in effect for the vicinity of the Fry Creek wildfire. A map of the affected area is available here: http://ow.ly/a34T50KGpy4. The Kootenay Joe FSR is closed, and no travel is permitted. For more information, visit http://ow.ly/srkr50KGqfk.

Weather: Current weather conditions are helping response efforts significantly. Increasing cloud and showers are anticipated today. This cool, showery trend is expected to continue through the weekend.

Wildfire Behaviour: As a result of response efforts by crews and the current weather pattern, fire behaviour remains low. It is anticipated that some smoke may be visible within the established fire perimeter over the coming weeks; however, it is expected that any fire activity will remain well within predetermined boundaries under prevailing and forecasted conditions.

Operations:

September 16:
  • Crews continue to complete final mop-up and patrol. This incident will be downsized in the coming days.

September 15:
  • Operational objectives remain mostly the same for today with crews engaging in direct attack of the fires edge.
  • Containment of this fire is progressing well. The downturn in weather is bolstering hard work done by crews and resources.
  • Construction of the helipads is complete.
  • Helicopters are supporting as operationally required.

September 14:
  • With precipitation continuing through the afternoon, helicopter bucketing action is not required, though helicopters remain on standby to respond if operationally necessary.
  • Near Smallfry Creek a unit crew is working to anchor the fire into the retardant line and continue direct attack where terrain can safely support crews.
  • Contingency lines are being developed by both crews and heavy equipment on the north side of the Fry Creek drainage above Birchdale.
  • On-site rain is making difficult terrain even more challenging on steeper sections to the North of Fry Creek. Crews will be removed from those areas if it becomes unsafe to continue. Indirect attack strategies will be implemented where crews cannot safely access
  • A camp is now set-up in the Meadow Creek area. This allows both the crews and incident management team to easily access the fire.

September 9:
  • In the early morning hours, driven by high winds and topography, the fire moved to the north side of the Fry Creek drainage. Two skimmer groups worked most of the day to cool fire behaviour and slow the spread. Ground personnel worked on creating defensible lines to anchor work from.
  • An additional unit crew was deployed to the Fry Creek fire to increase capacity on containment efforts at the Fry Creek ridgeline. Airtankers were active earlier in the day, laying down a retardant line on the north side of Fry Creek to reinforce rocky terrain to act as a fire barrier to slow potential spread north.

September 7:
  • A cold front passed through the region with winds gusting in the 30 - 40 km/hr range, driving significant growth towards the south side of the Fry Creek drainage. The south flank, towards Birchdale, did not see substantial growth. The fire continued to back downslope towards Kootenay Lake.
  • As the fire progressed towards the Fry Creek drainage, it moved into more workable terrain where personnel and aviation resources could begin work. Personnel were in the air and on the ground planning suppression action. This action included assessing a defensible line above the Small Fry Creek drainage and ground truthing for access. Airtankers were called in to lay retardant on the fire's south flank to slow the downslope movement.

August 25:
  • The Fry Creek wildfire was discovered in the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy in steep and inoperable terrain that posed significant safety risks that made it too unsafe for crews and aviation resources to work on at the time.


Structure Protection:
Additional Information:
  • When travelling in a wildfire area, please slow down, remain aware of your surroundings at all times, and respect all signage posted along the route.
  • Due to active wildfire in the area, the Fry Creek Trail is closed. For more information visit BC Parks Wildfire Information

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