Rainfall on Wednesday (Aug. 6) has aided the fight against the 224-hectare Bear Creek wildfire north of Harrison Hot Springs.
The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) said approximately 11 millimetres of rain fell over the Bear Creek fire, slowing down wildfire activity. Thursday (Aug. 7) is expected to bring cool, wetter weather with dry weather returning during the weekend. The rain contributed to bringing the fire down to Rank 1, which means it is mainly a smouldering ground fire with no open flames.
Helicopters could not aid in bucketing the fire yesterday due to poor visibility through part of this week. Ground crews are working to form a containment line on the north flank of the Bear Creek Fire, with the support of heavy equipment operators. Another crew of firefighters is concentrating on the blaze that has jumped Bear Creek on the north side.
On the south side of the fire, wildfire crews are almost finished creating a containment line to prevent further southern migration.
As of Wednesday (Aug. 6) morning, an evacuation alert remains in place for the North Cascade Bay Area, which includes the recreation site, Cooks Cove, Macs Cove, JB's Cove, Beach Bay, Sturgeon Bay, Blind Bay and Lakeberg Bay.
Roads remain closed between the 9-km and 20-km mark of Harrison East Forest Service Road. Drivers will find flaggers at the 0-km mark and non-residents will not be allowed through. The Kookipi Forest Service Road in the Nahatalatch Valley is also closed due to Bear Creek wildfire activity.
Harrison Lake can still be accessed to the south and north of the road closures, but boaters and campers are asked to keep a large distance between themselves and wildfire response teams, for the interest of public safety and the safety of the first responders.
There are hazards along Harrison East Forest Service Road due to wildfire activity, including danger trees and falling rocks.
The Bear Creek wildfire is believed to be human-caused. Four of the local fires were human-caused while the remaining three were attributed to lightning.
There are currently four active wildfires in the Agassiz-Harrison area, three of which are under control.
To report wildfires or irresponsible behaviour that could start a wildfire, call 1-800-663-5555 (*5555 from a cell phone) as soon as possible.
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