East Kootenay Wildfire Prompts Evacuation Alert as Cooler Weather Helps Crews Near Boston Bar
Shraddha Tripathy
7/13/20262 min read
Dozens of people in southeastern British Columbia have been told to prepare to leave their homes on short notice as an out-of-control wildfire burns north of Cranbrook.
The Lussier River wildfire was first spotted Saturday and is burning about 65 kilometres north of Cranbrook.
The fire has grown to about 1.15 square kilometres in size.
The Regional District of East Kootenay has issued an evacuation alert for 72 properties near Premier Lake.
No Structures Immediately Threatened
The B.C. Wildfire Service says crews are responding to the Lussier River fire with two unit crews and air support.
Officials said no structures or infrastructure were immediately threatened.
The fire is classified as out of control and is believed to be human caused. The wildfire service uses that label for any fire not sparked by lightning.
The evacuation alert means residents do not need to leave immediately, but should be ready to evacuate quickly if conditions change.
Boston Bar Fire Complex Still Burning
The East Kootenay alert comes as wildfire crews continue fighting two major out-of-control fires on opposite sides of Highway 1 near Boston Bar.
Together, they are known as the Brunswick fire complex.
According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, the Brunswick Creek wildfire grew slightly overnight to about 30 square kilometres.
The larger Ainslie Creek wildfire remained unchanged at about 158 square kilometres.
Multiple evacuation orders and alerts remain in effect in connection with the fires.
Drone Forces Suspension of Air Operations
Wildfire officials said air operations over the Brunswick Creek wildfire had to be suspended Saturday after someone flew a drone into the area.
Wildfire information officer Emilie Peacock called the incident serious, saying it had the potential to jeopardize efforts to protect homes and other important areas.
Flying a drone in a wildfire zone is illegal and can lead to a fine of up to $25,000 or as much as 18 months in jail.
The wildfire service also said it received multiple reports of people speeding on a recently reopened section of Highway 1 in the Fraser Canyon, or stopping to take photos and videos of firefighting operations.
Peacock said that behaviour puts responders at risk and interrupts operations during a critical period.
Cooler Weather Helps Firefighters
Crews have been taking advantage of a brief drop in temperatures to get closer to the fire lines and attack both fires more directly.
Although flames are visible from the Boston Bar area, officials say current winds are pushing the Brunswick Creek fire away from nearby communities.
“With fire behaviour slightly dampened, we're able to get closer to fire’s edge,” Peacock said.
She said wildland firefighters and structural firefighters are working along the edges of the fire, applying water and protecting priority areas near the community.
A burn scar from the 2023 Kookipi Creek wildfire is also helping slow the Brunswick Creek fire’s spread to the north.
Hotter, Windier Conditions Expected to Return
Peacock said ground crews are also focusing on the southwest side of the Ainslie Creek fire.
Air crews have been targeting a section of that fire that has pushed into the Merritt fire zone, where steep alpine terrain has made access difficult.
Officials expect hotter and windier conditions to return by Monday.
As of Sunday afternoon, there were 22 active wildfires burning across B.C., with seven listed as out of control.
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