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UPDATE: Cooler weather continues to help crews hold Trozzo Creek wildfire

(UPDATE: Aug.18 @ 4:40 pm) – The Trozzo Creek wildfire continues to hold steady at 5,992 hectares.

There are 40 firefighters, four pieces of heavy equipment and one helicopter on site.

BCWS forecasts a mix of sun and cloud, low to mid 20s and light winds.

Tomorrow, Aug. 19 is forecast for the same temperatures and winds but with a chance of thunderstorms and showers.

“Approximately three kilometres on an un-contained edge midway along the Holmsen drainage north of Mount Hoover can't be accessed due to steep, unstable terrain but fire activity in this area is low and guards are in place with sprinkler lines,” explains BCWS.

Crews continue to mop up in the Holmsen Creek drainage and suppression efforts are ongoing in an uncontrolled edge near Mount Hoover.

They also continue to patrol and monitor the fire’s edge, extinguish hotspots and reinforce containment lines.

A thermal scan identified “hotspots close to the perimeter on the northwest (Lemon Creek), west (Elliot/Anderson FSR and Trozzo FSR), south (Winlaw Creek) and southeast (Baldface Creek) flanks.”

The fire continues to be classified as “held.”


(UPDATE: Aug. 17 @ 1:40 pm ) – The Trozzo Creek wildfire was caused by lightning and discovered on July 9 approximately 7.5km northwest of Winlaw.

This fire continues to burn at 5,992 hectares but is now being held by fire crews.

BC Wildfire Service notes that “sufficient suppression has occurred to make it unlikely the fire will spread.”

The Regional District of Central Kootenay removed the evacuation alert for the area from south of Popou Road north to Ringrose Creek.

The evacuation alert was issued on Aug.3 and today, BCWS has determined values and human safety is no longer at risk.

Visit rdck.ca to stay up to date with any changes, or information on other evacuation notices in the area.

<who> Photo Credit: BCWS

Today, there are 47 firefighters, one helicopter and nine pieces of heavy equipment on site.

BCWS is forecasting showers, cooler temperatures and lighter winds across many parts of the Southeast fire centre today.

Crews continue to mop up in the Holmsen Creek drainage area after successful burn operations occurred this weekend.

BCWS affirms that this “brought the fire perimeter from inaccessible terrain to established containment lines, reducing the risk of spread. The fire remains within containment lines.”


(UPDATE: Aug.16 @ 3:20 pm) – The Trozzo Creek wildfire, outside Winlaw, has grown a little over 120 hectares since Saturday, Aug. 14.

BC Wildfire Service is estimating this fire to be burning at 5,992 hectares.

There are 69 firefighters, three helicopters and nine pieces of heavy equipment assigned to this fire today.

Yesterday, the area had gusty winds in the afternoon but the fire did not challenge any of the control lines.

Today, BCWS forecasted cooler temperatures, lighter winds and the potential for showers overnight.

<who> Photo Credit: BCWS

“Crews continue to mop up in the Holmsen Creek drainage after Saturday's successful small-scale planned ignition, which has brought the fire perimeter from inaccessible terrain to established containment lines, reducing the risk of spread.”

Thermal scans are being utilized and crews will continue to mop up hotspots on the northwest, west and south/southeast flanks of the fire.

Crews also worked to recover equipment from areas where it is no longer needed.

The evacuation alert for south of Popou Road north to Ringrose Creek remains in effect.


(UPDATE: Aug. 14 @ 8 pm) – The Trozzo Creek wildfire has grown to 5,871 hectares.

There are 65 firefighters, three helicopters and 11 pieces of heavy equipment assigned to this fire.

A planned ignition did not happen on Aug. 12 due to unfavourable conditions.

BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) reports that crews continue to monitor the weather while looking for opportunities to engage in the ignition operations.

“The planned ignition will be supported with hose-lays/sprinklers, firefighters and helicopters and smoke will be visible from Winlaw, Slocan and along Highway 6 when it is underway.”

<who> Photo Credit: BC Wildfire dashboard

BCWS experienced hot and dry conditions today, however, the agency is expecting next week’s cooler weather to bring wind.

“Earlier in the day Sunday will bring [...] increased winds of 15-28 km/h with gusts of 40-52 km/h in the afternoon or early evening and a possibility of thunderstorms with dry lightning overnight.”

Crews will continue to work towards the completion of a containment line along Lemon Creek forest service road on the northeast flank of the fire.

They continue to extinguish hotspots identified in a thermal scan from Aug. 11.

Crews are also collecting equipment where it is no longer needed and bringing it to areas with increased fire activity.

The evacuation alert issued by the Regional District of Central Kootenay remains in effect.


(UPDATE: AUG. 9 @ 6:20 pm) – The Trozzo Creek wildfire is now burning at an estimated 5,667 hectares.

There are 96 firefighters, seven helicopters and 26 pieces of heavy equipment assigned to this fire today.

The rain and cooler temperatures have helped the fire suppression efforts.

“This continued rain and rise in relative humidity has lowered fire behaviour and bolstered the hard work that crews have put in,” affirms BC Wildfire Service.

However, BCWS notes that another bout of warm and dry weather is supposed to settle over the area in the coming days.

<who> Photo Credit: BC Wildfire dashboard

Today, ground crews are finalizing a containment line along the Lemon Creek FSR and Holmsen Creek drainage.

They also continue to lay hoses and build guard in the Winlaw Creek drainage.

BCWS reports that a “wind-driven spill” occurred near the Baldface Creek drainage, crews are working with heavy equipment to contain this excursion.

The western flank of the fire, near the Elliot Anderson, Trozzo and Lemon Creek forest service roads, has shown very little fire activity in the past few days.

An evacuation alert for the area is also still in effect.


(UPDATE: Aug. 7 @ 7:45 pm) – The Trozzo Creek wildfire, located 7.5 kilometres northwest of Winlaw, has experienced a small amount of growth.

The fire is burning at 5,379 hectares, however, BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) is reporting that this fire has remained “largely stable.”

BCWS also reports there will be elevated winds from the west tonight but they will be accompanied by lower temperatures and increased humidity.

“Monday, temperatures will begin to increase again, reaching the high-20s to mid-30s by Wednesday afternoon.”

There are 93 firefighters, seven helicopters and 27 pieces of heavy equipment working on this fire today.

<who> Photo Credit: BC Wildfire dashboard

Crews continue to face challenges accessing the upper part of Winlaw Creek and being faced with steep and rocky terrain, lack of water resources and limited visibility due to smoke.

On a positive note, crews have made progress on establishing contingency guards on the northwest flank of the fire near Homesen Creek and the southwest flank near Winlaw Creek.

As of this morning, the fire still has not jumped the Lemon Creek forest service road.

The evacuation alert issued by the Regional District of Central Kootenay for the area south of Popou Road north to Ringrose Creek remains in place.


(UPDATE: Aug. 4 @ 10:20 am) – The Trozzo Creek wildfire, located seven kilometres outside Winlaw, is now burning at 5,202 hectares.

BC Wildfire Service explains that cloud cover, cooler temperatures and precipitation helped suppression efforts on Monday.

Crews worked along the western and northern flanks but have faced challenges with a lack of access to the upper part of Winlaw Creek.

<who> Photo Credit: BC Wildfire dashboard

BCWS reports that crews are facing challenging terrain which is impacting the ability to deliver water by truck to some of the more rocky and steep terrain.

Crews are also struggling with a “high volume” of dead trees on the ground and the dense smoke.

“On Tuesday and Wednesday, there is a potential for thunderstorm activity accompanied by dry lightning, wind gusts and varying amounts of precipitation,” notes BCWS.

Yesterday, there were 143 firefighters, seven helicopters and 27 pieces of heavy equipment on site.

The Regional District of Central Kootenay replaced an evacuation order with an alert for the area from south of Popu Road north to Ringrose Creek.

<who> Photo Credit: Regional District of Central Kootenay


(UPDATE: July 29 @ 1:40 pm) – The smoke in the area cleared yesterday to allow for more accurate mapping.

The clearing smoke also allowed air crews to respond to the fire yesterday afternoon.

However, the fire “saw hotter temperatures, lower humidity and higher winds, resulting in increased behaviour.

Skimmers and air tankers assisted in holding containment lines. An example of what these planes are capable of is explained in the following tweet:

BC Wildfire Service explains that the weather today and tomorrow will remain hot and dry with winds from 8 to 16 kilometres.

As of 8 pm last night, the fire had not jumped the Lemon Creek Forest Service Road.

Today there are 90 firefighters, five helicopters and 21 pieces of heavy equipment working on this fire.

For more information on current evacuation orders or alerts, visit this link.

<who> Photo Credit: BC Wildfire dashboard


(UPDATE: July 28 @ 4:20 pm) – The Trozzo Creek fire has not seen any growth and remains to burn at an estimated 4,389 hectares.

BCWS reports that yesterday light winds lifted the smoke but increased fire activity along the Elliot Ridge.

“Firefighters supported by helicopters bucketing successfully contained an excursion along the ridge above Perry Creek.”

However, the dense smoke continues to limit visibility for air resources.

<who> Photo Credit: BC Wildfire dashboard

Today, there was a planned ignition to help control the fire’s growth along the Trozzo Forest Service Road.

“The size of this planned ignition has been reduced from 50 hectares to 15 hectares as fire growth has already consumed fuels in part of the area,” explains BCWS.

There are 90 firefighters, five helicopters and 21 pieces of heavy equipment working on this fire.

For more information on current evacuation orders or alerts, visit this link.


(UPDATE: July 26 @ 10:28 am): The Trozzo Creek wildfire is now up to 4,389 hectares.

It remains out of control.

BC Wildfire Service said last night that crews are continuing to build containment lines to hold the lightning-caused blaze up at the Lemon Creek draingage.

"Crews are establishing hose-lay and sprinklers to create a wetline and support the containment line with burning operations to reinforce the guard line," the agency added.

"They are also working to extend a machine guard toward the southwest perimeter (Winlaw Creek drainage) to hold the fire in the upper Winlaw Creek drainage."

Crews have been attempting to bulk up the western perimeter of the fire, too, as well as monitoring its growth in the east and south.

In its most recent update, BCWS said there were 77 firefighters and 16 pieces of heavy equipment working on the fire.

To see the most recent evacuation information, head here.


(Original story: July 22 @ 10:25 am): An evacuation order and alert have been issued as the Trozzo Creek wildfire near Winlaw continues to grow.

The lightning-caused blaze is now at 2,635 hectares and remains out of control.

The Regional District of Central Kootenay issued the evacuation order and alert yesterday.

Properties in Ringrose Creek to Christian Creek, Slocan Valley and Electoral Area H are affected by the order.

<who> Photo credit: BCWS </who> The fire on Thursday.

See more here.

People needing support have been asked to head to the Castlegar and District Recreation Centre at 2101 6 Ave, Castlegar.

BC Wildfire Service said the fire has been difficult to contain.

Wednesday was “another challenging day,” the agency explained.

<who> Photo credit: RDCK

“Strong winds have increased fire behaviour, movement and rate of spread,” BCWS said.

“The fire had moved into the South Lemon Creek drainage. Driven by terrain and intense winds and continues to move north.”

In an update this morning, BCWS said it had three firefighters battling the blaze.

No helicopters or heavy equipment are involved.



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