(UPDATE: Aug. 28 @ 8:30 pm) – Another fire in the Arrow Lakes Complex has been held.
The Michaud Creek wildfire originated 21 kilometres south of Edgewood.
The 14,032 hectare wildfire was discovered on July 10 and caused by lightning.
An evacuation alert for the community of Renata was rescinded to all clear on Aug.24.
There are 45 firefighters, seven pieces of heavy equipment and one helicopter on site today.
UPDATE: Both Wildfires of Note in the Arrow Lake Complex, Octopus Creek (N51800) and Michaud Creek (N51765), are now Being Held. This indicates that the fires are not likely to spread beyond existing boundaries under the current & forecasted conditions. #BCWildfire pic.twitter.com/nrWo6SmtmW
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) August 28, 2021
Crews will continue to demobilize equipment and suppress hotspots on the northern and southern flanks.
A wet-line has been secured on the north side of the fire, south of Bear Paw Lake.
Danger tree assessments and falling will continue on the Bowman FSR to ensure crew safety.
“From Renata Ridge to Arrow Lake, mop-up continues at the fires edge and patrolling for hotspots remains a priority and hot spots are being suppressed as they are discovered,” explains BCWS.
(UPDATE: Aug. 25 @ 7:40 pm) – The Michaud Creek wildfire has been more accurately mapped at 13,862 hectares.
Visibility improved around the fire and BCWS was able to estimate that the fire was 777 hectares smaller than previously recorded.
There are 50 firefighters, five water tenders and one helicopter on site today.
Crews continue to secure containment lines whenever possible.
They are also attacking hotspots identified by an infrared scan on the northern and southern flanks.
Crews working on the northern flank continue to action the fire and establish a wet-line south of Johnson Creek.
On the southern flank, crews continue to patrol the area between Renata Ridge and Arrow Lake in a pre-established wet-line.
Mop up operations are ongoing west of the community of Renata as structural protection equipment is demobilized.
(UPDATE: Aug. 24 @ 1:40 pm) – The Michaud Creek wildfire continues to be estimated at 14,639 hectares.
However, the evacuation alert for the community of Renata has been downgraded to “all clear,” effective today at 9 am.
The Regional District of Central Kootenay has been advised by BCWS that the wildfire risk has diminished.
RDCK Media Release - Evacuation Alert removed for Renata. Follow the link for the complete details: https://t.co/kvYZRqPqz4 pic.twitter.com/kr3NuCja59
— RDCK (@RDofCK) August 24, 2021
BCWS is forecasting a mainly cloudy day with high in the mid-teens and a mainly clear night with a low of 5ºC for the Arrow Lakes Complex.
Today, there are 51 helicopters, five pieces of heavy equipment and two helicopters assigned to the fire.
There are also 10 structure protection specialists being shared across the fire complex.
Crews working on the northern flank continue to action the fire’s edge north of Bear Paw Lake and build a wet-line in the area.
On the southern flank, crews are patrolling near Renata Ridge and setting up a weltine in this area as well.
Crews will continue to mop-up west of the community of Renata while structural protection specialists continue to monitor and improve the systems.
(UPDATE: Aug. 21 @ 7 pm) – The Michaud Creek wildfire has grown an estimated 300 hectares since Wednesday when it was recorded at 14,339 hectares.
Today, BC Wildfire Service is estimating that the fire is burning at an estimated 14,639 hectares.
The lightning-caused fire that originated 21 km south of the community of Edgewood continues to burn out of control.
There are 80 firefighters, 15 pieces of heavy equipment and two helicopters are on site.
BCWS forecasts a mainly cloudy day with a high of 21ºC with showers or thundershowers in the late afternoon.
The evacuation alert for the community of Renata remains in effect at this time.
Crews working on the northern flank of the fire are “working to establish a 25-foot wet-line along new containment lines to the south, east and southeast of Bear Paw Lake.”
A wet-line is composed of hoses and sprinklers placed along containment, or control, lines to ensure the areas firefighters are working in have consistent moisture and humidity.
Air resources are available to support ground crews in their suppression efforts to limit the spread into Johnston Creek.
Helicopters are also working to monitor the fire and transport crews to their work areas.
Crews working on the southern flank are patrolling the edge of the fire from Renata Ridge to Arrow Lake.
They will set up another wet-line as they continue to patrol and mop up in this area.
Structural protection is ongoing in Renata as crews monitor and improve the systems.
(UPDATE: Aug.18 @ 3:20 pm) – The Michaud Creek wildfire has not experienced any significant growth since Monday and remains at 14,339 hectares.
There are 52 firefighters, 14 pieces of heavy equipment and two helicopters on site today.
Weather conditions remain calm in the Arrow Lakes Complex, with BCWS forecasting a mix of sun and cloud for today with highs of 21ºC and light winds.
Winds are expected to increase slightly tomorrow to 5-15km/h with gusts upwards to 30km/h.
“Crews are conducting danger tree assessments and falling along new containment lines on the south side near Bear Paw Lake,” explains BCWS.
Once this line is completed, crews will work to create a 25-foot wet-line which will give themselves a secure working space.
Planning for new containment lines is ongoing for the north and south sides of Faith Creek.
BCWS crews are also looking for opportunities to conduct small-scale hand ignitions as well.
The agency is also “assessing the area between an earlier excursion and Arrow Lake on Renata Ridge to establish new containment lines.”
The community of Renata continues to be on evacuation alert.
(UPDATE: Aug.16 @ 1:40 pm) – The Michaud Creek wildfire is now burning at 14,339 hectares.
There are 51 firefighters, two helicopters and 14 pieces of heavy equipment.
BC Wildfire Service is reporting that strong gusty winds have resulted in the growth.
Yesterday there was “extreme fire behaviour (Rank 4-6) and all control lines in the Arrow Lake Complex (Michaud Creek and Octopus Creek fires) were tested.”
The control lines along the Johnston Creek drainage were tested but crews managed to hold the lines.
Today, BCWS is forecasting a high of 22ºC with 35% humidity and west/southwest winds of 10-20 km/h with gusts upwards to 35km/h.
Rain showers are also forecasted for the area but the amount is unclear.
An excursion was observed in the northwestern flank, near Bear Paw Lake, and crews are working to contain it while building a new control line.
The southern flank, west of Renata, has also experienced some growth and crews will work to establish new lines in this area.
“Fire activity is very visible from the [communities] of Renata, Edgewood and Fauquier,” notes BCWS.
The evacuation alert of the community of Renata remains in place.
(UPDATE: Aug. 10 @ 1:20 pm ) – The Michaud Creek wildfire has grown to 13,600 hectares.
The lightning-caused fire originated 21 kilometres south of the community of Edgewood.
BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) is reporting that temperatures are continuing to warm today and smoke is expected to increase.
Rain in the area dampened the forest but “a lack of significant precipitation means forest fuels remain dry,” the agency reports.
BCWS is reporting that hotter and drier weather is forecasted for the next eight to 10 days.
The Southeast is going back into a warming & drying trend as a ridge of high pressure rebuilds. The #BCWildfire Service would like to remind people to remain cautious while recreating outdoors and thank residents for their dedication keeping human-caused fire starts minimal.
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) August 10, 2021
Today, there are 41 firefighters, two helicopters and 21 pieces of heavy equipment assigned to this fire.
Crews established control lines over the weekend to protect Edgewood.
The control lines help firefighters safely gain more access to the fire.
Crews will engage in ignition operations to protect the community of Renata when conditions allow.
“Firefighters have finished a guard in preparation for the ignition operation that is planned for Thursday if conditions allow,” reports BCWS.
The community of Renata remains under evacuation alert.
Visit rdck.ca for more information.
(UPDATE: Aug. 8 @ 7:30 pm) – The Michaud Creek wildfire is burning at 12,799 hectares.
There are 44 firefighters, two helicopters and 15 pieces of heavy equipment on site today.
Bc Wildfire Service (BCWS) reports that this fire received 22 millimetres of rain on the north flank and 8 ml on the south end.
Cooler temperatures, higher humidity and overnight showers have limited the fire growth.
The increase in size is due to the fact that the Michaud Creek fire merged with the Renata Creek wildfire.
Due to wind-driven fire activity over the past few days, the Michaud Creek fire has merged with the Renata Creek fire, it will now be referred to as the Michaud Creek fire moving forward. This change is also reflected in the size increase of the Michaud fire. pic.twitter.com/xiNESrzV5v
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) August 8, 2021
Crews were able to safely build control lines along the northern flank along Johnson Creek to Bear Paw Lake – all to protect the community of Edgewood.
“These lines have helped firefighters gain more access to the fire,” explains BCWS.
They were also able to construct new lines in the south-southeast corner.
Although the area received rain, BCWS affirms that the forest is still dry as drought conditions continue.
“Until the fire experiences substantial precipitation, the potential to return to volatile burning conditions remains.”
Visit this link to stay up to date with evacuation notices issued by the Regional District of Central Kootenay.
(UPDATE: Aug. 6 @ 12:45 pm) - There's been plenty of positives on the frontlines of the Michaud Creek wildfire this week.
All evacuation orders and alerts were lifted, including for the communities of Needles and Edgewood, and the fire has not shown any significant growth since the start of the long weekend.
The BC Wildfire Service has the fire currently mapped at 8,551 hectares and crews are gearing up for some different weather this weekend.
An incoming cold front will bring slightly cooler temperatures and higher humidity, but it will also come with variable westerly to northwesterly winds.
They're expected to gust around 15-20 km/h to start, but could strengthen to 35-45 km/h as the day goes on.
"The windy conditions should bring some relief from the smoke; however, as the smoke clears, extreme fire activity is expected," explained the BCWS.
"There is a 30% chance of showers toward the north end of the fire area, but even a direct hit from a passing shower might not produce much moisture."
Firefighters continue to establish control lines on the north end of the wildfire and prevent any more spread towards the community of Edgewood.
"An increase in fire activity to the southeast yesterday challenged firefighters and crews reported some growth to the fire's perimeter in this area," the BCWS update said.
"Crews are reassessing the control lines today and being supported by helicopters and air tankers as visibility allows."
There are 38 firefighters, 16 pieces of heavy equipment and three helicopters battling the Michaud Creek wildfire.
(UPDATE: Aug. 3 @ 9 am) - The Michaud Creek wildfire grew to 8,847 hectares over the long weekend.
"The fires within the Arrow Lake Complex received three millimeters of precipitation overnight," explained the BC Wildfire Service.
"The cooler temperature and increased humidity have improved burnable surface fuels; however, the larger fuels and deep soil remain highly combustible and would need significant rainfall to improve conditions."
Higher humidity has resulted in reduced fire activity, but the BCWS warned that conditions could change rapidly and increase activity at any time.
"Increased fire behaviour makes it even more challenging for our firefighters and heavy equipment on the ground," the agency said.
On Monday, an evacuation alert for this fire affecting 356 properties, which included the communities of Edgewood and Needles, was rescinded by the Regional District of Central Kootenay.
“On behalf of the RDCK Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), I’d like to thank everyone who has been living with this alert for their patience over the past few weeks,” said Chris Johnson, the RDCK EOC Director. “Thankfully, at this time, the threat to people and structures has diminished.”
There are currently 76 firefighters, 20 pieces of heavy equipment and five helicopters assigned to the Michaud Creek wildfire, which was sparked by lightning on July 10.
A 15-person incident management team from Alberta is established in Nakusp to look over the Arrow Lake Complex, which includes the Michaud Creek, Octopus Creek and Renate Creek wildfires.
(UPDATE: July 28 @ 12:40 pm) – The Michaud Creek fire is now estimated at 7,312 hectares.
The evacuation alerts issued by the Regional District of Central Kootenay remain in effect.
BC Wildfire Service expects fire behaviour to remain relatively calm as the winds quiet down and the prevailing smoke keeps the fire covered from the sun.
“Local topography may cause some areas of the wildfire to experience greater fire behaviour, which could cause the wildfire to grow,” explains BCWS.
The heavy smoke that is impacting much of the interior is also impeding air support operations due to visibility and safety concerns – operations will resume when it is safe to do so.
Today, there are 45 firefighters, four helicopters and 20 pieces of heavy equipment fighting the fire.
Crews are planning ignitions if the weather and site conditions provide them the ability, however, BCWs is anticipating to begin burn operations as early as tomorrow.
(UPDATE: July 27 @ 3:50 pm) - The Michaud Creek wildfire remains at 5,981 hectares today and the BC Wildfire Service said that "crews made great progress on the fire line" on Monday.
A helicopter was able to carry out bucketing operations at Johnson Creek and it worked with ground crews to find and extinguish hotspots and open flame.
Today, the focus turned to establishing and reinforcing containment lines in prioritized areas, which includes the northern flank.
"Direct firefighting attack on the wildfire continues where possible," explained the latest update from the BCWS.
"The containment lines are built using dozers to remove unburned fuel, hand tools where heavy equipment cannot access or they may conduct planned ignitions when possible."
Fire behaviour is expected to remain low to moderate due to lesser winds and smoke that is covering the fire from the sun, but conditions can change quickly.
There are currently 41 firefighters, 20 pieces of heavy equipment and one helicopter assigned to this fire.
A 15-person incident management team from Alberta has assumed control of the Arrow Lake Complex, which includes the wildfires at Michaud Creek, Octopus Creek and Renata Creek.
(UPDATE: July 26 @ 12:30 pm) - The latest mapping on the Michaud Creek wildfire shows that it has grown in the past 24 hours.
According to the BC Wildfire Service, the fire on the west side of Lower Arrow Lake and south of Edgewood is now 5,981 hectares in size.
As of Monday morning, the fire remained south of Johnson Creek and continued to hold at established control lines and an old burn.
"Fire behaviour remains fairly low due to the lessening winds and the cooler temperatures from the smoke, which is blocking the sun," explained the BCWS.
"These conditions could change rapidly and fire behaviour could increase suddenly."
The agency added that smoke is impeding air support operations at this time and both helicopters and air tankers will return to work once it's safe to do so.
An area restriction remains in effect for the vicinity of this fire and the Regional District of Central Kootenay has evacuation orders and alerts in place, which includes the communities of Edgewood and Needles.
More resources have been made available for this fire and there are now 41 firefighters, 20 pieces of equipment and one helicopter assigned to it.
(UPDATE: July 25 @ 6:15 pm) - Crews with the BC Wildfire Service continue to battle the Michaud Creek blaze.
According to the BCWS, the fire located 21 km from Edgewood is still at 4,600 hectares. Evacuation alerts are still in effect and the blaze is out of control.
"The Michaud Creek fire continues to hold at established control lines south of Johnson Creek. Fire behaviour has continued to be less active due to lighter winds and heavy smoke in the area reducing temperatures slightly. That smoke, however, is impeding air support operations."
A total of two firefighters, one helicopter and 15 pieces of heavy equipment are on scene today.
NowMedia will update the story when more is available.
(UPDATE: July 22 @ 12:15 pm) - A pair of wildfires on either side of Lower Arrow Lake continue to grow and threaten local communities.
The Michaud Creek wildfire is now up to an estimated 4,600 hectares in size as it continues to grow north along the west side of the lake.
At this time, 356 properties are under an evacuation order due to the blaze, which includes the small communities of Edgewood and Needles.
"Work is ongoing as an industry-led strike team continues to build and reinforce control lines between Edgewood and the fire," explained a BC Wildfire Service update.
The agency added that fire behaviour continues to be moderately vigorous with pockets of highly-vigorous torching and intermittent crown fire.
Strong winds today are expected to continue to drive aggressive fire behaviour before they start to die down over the coming days.
The BCWS has two firefighters and four pieces of heavy equipment assigned to this fire.
Helicopters were actioning the fire on Wednesday, but the BCWS doesn't list any aircraft as being assigned to Michaud Creek at this time.
(Original story: July 21 @ 4:35 pm) - A growing wildfire on the west side of Lower Arrow Lake has resulted in evacuation orders being issued for a pair of communities.
The BC Wildfire Service says the 2,670-hectare Michaud Creek wildfire continues to be moderately vigorous, with pockets of highly vigorous behaviour.
“The fire is currently staying south of Johnson Creek,” said a BCWS update. “Movement is currently halted by the established control lines and the area of a previous fire.”
The @RDofCK has expanded its Evacuation Order for the Michaud Creek wildfire (N51765) in Electoral Area K to include the communities of Edgewood and Needles north to Whatshan Lake for a total of 356 properties.
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) July 21, 2021
However, strong winds are now driving aggressive fire behaviour and there’s no relief in the forecast, which has triggered the expanded evacuation order from the Regional District of Central Kootenay.
It now includes Edgewood and Needles and reaches as far north as Whatshan Lake.
In total, 356 properties are affected and those residents are being urged to leave the area immediately.
“Evacuated residents are asked to go to their pre-arranged emergency locations and register online with Emergency Support Services,” explained a RDCK release.
Anyone without a pre-arranged place to evacuate to can go to the Kelowna Community Church.
At this time, both Hwy 6 and the Needles Ferry are closed due to multiple fires, but residents will be permitted to use Hwy 6 to evacuate west.
There are currently two BCWS firefighters and three pieces of heavy equipment assigned to the Michaud Creek wildfire, but those numbers will likely grow as it moves towards these communities.
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