Image courtesy of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District

By Liam Verster

Bush Creek Fire Update

Firefighting focus remains on Sorrento frontlines

Aug 31, 2023 | 2:25 PM

The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) continues to action the Bush Creek East wildfire, with the focus on the southeast flank.

During a wildfire update Thursday, August 31, BCWS liaison, Mike McCulley, said there hasn’t been any significant growth in the past few days, with the exception of near Sorrento.

“This fire did move downhill significantly due to wind event that we had through the dry conditions, it’s still very very visible from town, but we do have good containment lines around some of these properties,” McCulley said.

“Our crews have been focused in this area, working side by side with the local fire department, which we’re very lucky to have their support and lucky to be working with them, and we still feel comfortable that we’re going to be able to maintain this fire where it is.”

McCulley stated the firefighting will be mainly focused on the southeast flank in the coming days, both on the ground and through helicopter bucketing.

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The cooler weather has allowed fire crews to get in closer and do “tighter work” on the fire perimeter.

McCulley stated the recent precipitation has helped dampen the fire and provided some temporary reprieve, but stated rain can also cause some challenges and potential hazards.

“[Rain] certainly turns dry fire guards and dry roads into wet roads that can be slippery, you can get landslide concerns and erosion issues, so it’s one of the hazards that we do face when we get some rain,” McCulley said, adding the forecast does call for “really good firefighting weather” Thursday and Frida,y but crews will need to be conscious of the hazards and stay safe.

BCWS crews will also be patrolling the southeast flank through the night Thursday, but McCulley did not expect there would be any overnight growth.

Meanwhile, on the north end of the fire, the liaison said some structure protection equipment was being redeployed from the more rural areas where they had been set up.

“What we’re doing is taking away some of the larger water tanks, but we’re leaving a lot of the equipment at play,” McCulley explained.

“There is still fire risk in [the northern] area, so we will just replace them with smaller bladders. We’re not impacting our ability to do structure protection if it’s needed but residents may see some of the larger tanks being pulled out of these areas. It doesn’t mean we’re still not well set to do structure protection if needed.”

He added task forces and fire engines are patrolling the front lines day and night to attack any flare ups and hot spots.

McCulley added there was a flare up on the northeast perimeter of the fire near Magna Bay Wednesday, and while fire was visible, it did not pose any risk to structures or the community, and that crews will continue to monitor that flank day and night.

The BCWS spokesperson added the area is still in an extreme drought condition and though the recent rain helped dampen the top layer of fuels, there is still the risk of fires starting and spreading.

The Bush Creek fire was still estimated at around 43,000 hectares in size, and McCulley said more mapping will be done in the coming days to get an updated size.

At last update, there were an estimated 6,793 people under evacuation orders due to the wildfire, and another 5,210 under alerts.

The Columbia Shuswap regional District noted the fire is still an active situation and reminds people stay clear of firefighting operations.

The CSRD will host a virtual community meeting Friday, September 1, for the residents affected by the fire to learn more about the situation. The meeting will be on Zoom, and also shared on Youtube.

Plans are in the works to take affected residents on a bus tour through the area once the fire is contained, noting people who believe they have lost their homes or properties should contact the CSRD online.

The refrigerator and freezer disposal program has been expanded. Sorrento residents will be able to dispose of ruined fridges or freezers at the Skimikin Transfer Station or the Salmon Arm landfill, while Anglemont and St. Ives residents can dispose of the appliances in a bin located behind the Ross Creek Store.

The CSRD will provide instructions to Scotch Creek, Lee Creek, Celista and Magna Bay residents on how to dispose of fridges and freezers once the evacuation orders are lifted.

CSRD’s Emergency Support Services will be moving to the Fairfield Inn and Suites in Salmon Arm effective 9 a.m. Friday, September 1.

People wishing to make a donation to the evacuees can call the CSRD at 250-833-3396.