Slocan and nearby rural areas placed on evacuation alert due to bushfires, public information meeting on July 24

At the recommendation of the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has extended the evacuation alert due to the Ponderosa wildfire.

The extended evacuation area includes the entire village of Slocan (208 plots) and 150 plots in electoral area “H”.

The 150 parcels are divided between Enterprise Creek north of the village of Slocan and the west side of the Slocan River, south of the village of Slocan.

A list of the buildings and a map can be found here.

Additionally, BCWS and RDCK have extended the evacuation alert for the Aylwin Creek Wildfire to three additional rural addresses. These addresses and a map can be found here.

RDCK will hold a public information session for residents of Electoral Area H and the Village of Slocan who have been impacted by the Ponderosa and Mulvey Creek wildfires. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 24 at 6:00 p.m. in the gymnasium of Winlaw Elementary School, 5604 Winlaw Bridge Rd, Winlaw.

Information will be provided on the Ponderosa and Mulvey Creek wildfires. Representatives from the BCWS and RDCK Emergency Operations Centre will be present. There will also be an opportunity for residents to ask questions.

At this time, residents or visitors in evacuation warning areas do not need to evacuate, but the RDCK advises people to remain vigilant and be prepared to leave the area at any time. It is recommended to have an emergency kit ready and be prepared, including moving pets and livestock to a safe location, in case the situation worsens and an evacuation order is enforced. Part of your plan should include where you can go if you are evacuated.

As BCWS reported on July 23, the Ponderosa Fire is currently 375 acres (151 hectares) in size. The other two nearby fires, Cameronian and Mulvey Creek, are 325 and 475 acres (130 and 187 hectares) in size, respectively.

According to BCWS, there are currently 103 active wildfires in the Southeast Fire Center, 75 percent of which are not contained. There are 18 evacuation orders and 18 warnings.

The Southeast Fire Centre extends from the US border to the Mica Dam and from the Okanagan Highlands/western edge of the Monashee Mountains to the British Columbia/Alberta border.

There are 369 active forest fires throughout the province.