BC Wildfire Service crews and the Cranbrook Fire Department are battling a new wildfire burning outside of the East Kootenay community.
The St. Mary’s River fire is burning about 15 kilometres northeast of Cranbrook in the Kootenay River Indian Reserve No. 1, and is generating smoke visible from the Canadian Rockies International Airport.
The fire resulted in the cancellation of all flights in and out of the airport for several hours.
The City of Cranbrook said the airspace reopened at 8 p.m. allowing flights to resume, but advised anyone flying through the airport to confirm details with their airline.
The ʔaq̓am Community, also called the St. Mary’s Indian Band, and RCMP are also involved in the response as well, and a tactical evacuation has been ordered for homes on Mission Road and Mission Wasa Low Road.
Evacuees are being directed to the Dan Joe gymnasium to register for emergency social services.
The Regional District of East Kootenay has also issued an evacuation alert for 43 properties.
The fire discovered Monday is classified as “out of control,” and quickly spread to 300 hectares in size. Officials believe the fire was started by downed electrical wires. BC Hydro could not confirm the cause of the fire, but said it is aware of a power outage affecting about 400 properties in the area.
The BC Wildfire Service said 28 ground personnel were on scene, and being supported by four helicopters. Airtankers have also been assigned, but have been hampered by strong winds in the area.
“This fire is wind-driven,” fire information officer Ashley Davidoff said.
“We are anticipating that the fire’s size will increase.”
In an evening update, the BC Wildfire Service says firefighting personnel with heavy equipment were working through the night to support containment lines.
The Regional District of East Kootenay issued an updated evacuation alert late Monday, with 23 properties now being told to get ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
“The RDEK has issued an Evacuation ALERT for 23 properties in the Campsall Rd area west of Fort Steele due to the St Mary River Wildfire N11805,” the district said in a statement.
One local told Global News that people have been forced to let their horses free or leave other animals behind as they fled.
“The winds are just so high and its moving so fast,” witness Dean Kroker told Global News. “We’ve watched it jump the river, and there’s been four helicopters now actioning it.”
The approximate location of the St. Mary’s River wildfire.
The Wasa Mission Lower Road has been closed due to the fire.
People are being urged to avoid the area, but anyone driving nearby is advised to allow first responders clear access and to obey all traffic control personnel.
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