Cranbrook-area wildfire reaches 250 hectares, evacuation order in place

A wildfire burning on the St. Mary’s Reserve, about 14 kilometres northeast of Cranbrook, forced the cancellations of all flights at a nearby airport and triggered an evacuation order and alert after it was discovered on Friday.

The fire is believed to be 250 hectares in size, and aircraft were quick to tackle it because they have a base nearby, according to the BC Wildfire Service.

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The cause of the fire is under investigation but it’s believed to have been human-caused.

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A machine guard is being built around the perimeter of the fire, and it’s not threatening structures at this time, the service said.

The Regional District of East Kootenay has issued a partial evacuation order for the Moyie Lake area, and an alert for the St. Mary’s River area, it said in a news release on Friday night.

READ MORE: Hot spots from B.C. wildfires could linger until next spring: official

The wildfire is, however, burning close to the Canadian Rockies International Airport, which is located about 15 kilometres from Cranbrook.

All flights to and from the airport have been cancelled until midnight; the only aircraft that will be allowed to use the facility are fire suppression aircraft, the City of Cranbrook said in a news release.

Here’s the fire’s approximate location: