Emergency Operations Centre
4:15 PM PST
*Our Information Bulletins will be released on Monday and Thursday
*Mulvey Creek wildfire update from BCWS, video on rehabilitating areas impacted by the Slocan Lake Complex wildfires
Currently there are two Evacuation Orders remaining in the RDCK.
- Evacuation Order for 1 address and nine parcel identifiers due to Mulvey Creek wildfire
- Evacuation Order for 1 address due to Argenta Creek wildfire
The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) remains in regular communication with BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) to monitor the fires within the region. There are currently 100 wildfires in the Southeast Fire Centre, with 2 wildfires of note, and 64 listed as out of control. This is a dynamic situation that can change hourly, so residents are encouraged to be prepared and follow the BCWS website and the RDCK website for the most accurate and up to date information.
Road Closures
The Duncan FSR and Glacier Creek FSR on the east side of Duncan Lake remains on Evacuation Order and CLOSED. Both roads are obstructed by debris from the wildfire and will not reopen until a geotechnical assessment has been completed. As a result, Duncan Island residents can only access their homes by boat. As well, there is no access to the Macbeth Icefield, Monica Meadows, or Jumbo Pass Trail. The Glacier Greek Regional Park will not be reopening to campers at this time.
Highway 6 is now open. Due to continued maintenance on the road by crews there is some single alternating traffic at times. Check out https://www.drivebc.ca/ for the latest details.
Returning Home After an Evacuation Order
The RDCK advises all residents to read through the information in this re-entry document on what to do when you return home after a wildfire.
For those residents who lost power for a significant period of time, they could be returning home to fridges and freezers full of spoiled food. Some homeowners may also find their fridges and freezers have stopped working, due to blown compressors as a result of power surges when power returns. Read this document for more information on how to remove food and prepare your fridge or freezer, as well as instruction on how to minimize wildlife attraction.
For residents that were unable to utilize the collection service for damaged refrigerator units provided by the RDCK, the Christian Aid Ministry has volunteered to help transport damaged fridges and freezers to the landfill. Please call 250-254-2417 to make arrangements for assistance. Please note, fridges and freezers must be cleaned out before the Christian Aid Ministry can pick them up.
A reminder to residents that all RDCK transfer stations and landfills accept residential (non-commercial) appliances for recycling free of charge.
Emergency Support Services (ESS) Information:
With the downgrading of Evacuation Orders to Evacuation Alerts, the RDCK has 11 properties remaining on Evacuation Order. As a result, we will be closing our ESS Reception Centres. If you are on Evacuation Order and continue to need support, please access your profile online at ess.gov.bc.ca or call 1-800-387-4258, to get assistance.
Resiliency Centres:
Three Resiliency Centres will be available to assist residents who were evacuated due to the wildfires in our region. These centres are dedicated to support the community’s recovery and will provide essential information, resources, and connections to NGOs offering well-being support for those returning home.
Two Disaster Psychosocial Support (DPS) members will rotate between the three Resiliency Centres. These trained professionals are available to assist residents in coping with the immediate effects of the wildfire and offering psychological first aid. This includes providing practical assistance, helping residents manage stress, and connecting them with additional mental health resources as needed. They are there to support the well-being and resilience of those impacted by the wildfires. Once established, their schedules will be posted on the RDCK
Silverton Memorial Hall, 203 Lake Ave.
August 20 – 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
August 23 – 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Argenta Community Hall, 1024 Argenta Johnsons Landing Rd.
August 21 – 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
W.E. Graham Community Service Society (Learning Centre), 1001 Harold St.
August 19 – 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
August 22 – 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Temporary Access Permit (TAP)
Temporary Access Permits (TAP) are restricted to the following:
- Critical Infrastructure or utility agencies may require access in order to service (i.e. refuel, inspect) or make repairs to affected critical equipment and sites;
- Members of the agriculture sector or residents that may need to make essential repairs to fencing, feed, or evacuate livestock, or tend to essential crops;
- Community members may request access so they can retrieve important documents or supplies (ex. medications, business items), or tend to their domestic animals.
Applicants who have applied for a TAP will be notified whether their application has been approved or denied the evening prior to their requested date of entry by email. If you have applied for a TAP, please anticipate receiving an email from the RDCK EOC.
Temporary Access Permit Application
Temporary Access Permit Guidelines
Slocan Lake Complex wildfire
The Slocan Lake Complex includes the Komonko Creek wildfire, Mulvey Creek wildfire, Nemo Creek wildfire, and Ponderosa wildfire. A complex is created when multiple wildfires are managed by a single Incident Management Team, and resources and equipment are shared between all incidents in the complex.
As of August 3, the Aylwin Creek and Komonko Creek wildfires merged at Enterprise Creek and moving forward are referred under the Komonko Creek wildfire.
Area Restriction details updated August 12: Slocan Lake Complex Area Restriction.
The BCWS has shared a video outlining the different methods for rehabilitating areas that have been impacted by wildfires and response activities. You can watch the video on the BCWS facebook page here: https://fb.watch/u3yaQrcX6u/
Wildfire updates can be found under the Response tab of the incident pages on the Wildfire Map.
Residents are encouraged to contact the BCWS Information Officer with any questions regarding the Slocan Lake Complex wildfire: BCWS.Slocan.Information@gov.bc.ca
Komonko Creek wildfire, N51210 (merged with Aylwin Creek wildfire N51065)
On the recommendation of the BCWS the RDCK EOC has downgraded the Evacuation Order to an Evacuation Alert for all properties impacted by the Komonko Creek wildfire. Click for more details:
Nemo Creek wildfire, N51103
On the recommendation of the BCWS the RDCK EOC has downgraded the Evacuation Order to an Evacuation Alert. Click for more details:
Mulvey Creek wildfire, N51117
On the recommendation of the BCWS the RDCK EOC has downgraded the Evacuation Order to an Evacuation Alert. Click for more details:
From BC Wildfire Service on August 18, 2024:
Last night, August 18, Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS) in the form of helicopter night tanking and helicopter observation support was planned for the Mulvey Creek wildfire (N51117)
This operation was supported by both the Southeast Fire Centre and the Slocan Lake Complex Incident Management Team.
The objective of the mission was to suppress the fire on the north flank of the Mulvey Creek wildfire (N51117) where it is too steep for ground crews to safely work.
Though the north flank of the fire is not exhibiting extreme or increased fire behaviour, utilizing NVIS technology in this location allowed the BC Wildfire service to continue building operational experience with NVIS technology.
Ponderosa wildfire, N51069
On the recommendation of the BCWS the RDCK EOC has downgraded the Evacuation Order to an Evacuation Alert. Click for more details:
Lavina Complex
The Lavina Complex includes the Argenta Creek wildfire, Lower Meadow Mountain wildfire, and Howser Ridge 3 wildfire. A complex is created when multiple wildfires are managed by a single Incident Management Team, and resources and equipment are shared between all incidents in the complex.
Wildfire updates can be found under the Response tab of the incident pages on the Wildfire Map.
Argenta Creek wildfire, N71058 (merged with Glacier Creek wildfire, N71098)
On the recommendation of the BCWS the RDCK EOC has downgraded the Evacuation Order to an Evacuation Alert for the community Argenta. Just one home on Glacier Creek Road and the Glacier Creek Regional Park remain on Evacuation Order. Please click for:
On July 27 BCWS merged the Glacier Creek wildfire information with the Argenta Creek wildfire.
Area Restriction details for Argenta Creek area
Howser Ridge 3, N71144
On the recommendation of the BCWS the RDCK EOC has rescinded the Evacuation Alert due to this fire. Click for details:
Area restriction details for Howser Ridge 3
General Information
For more information on the wildfires refer to BCWS website, BCWS Facebook and BCWS X.
Visit www.rdck.ca/eocinfo for the complete details of all current evacuation orders and alerts. Follow the RDCK on Facebook and X. Affected residents with any questions can contact the RDCK Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at 250-352-7701.
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