A lightning storm that passed through the West Kootenay on Monday (Aug. 12) sparked six new wildfires in the Castlegar area while two more fires that were discovered over the weekend continue to burn.
As of Tuesday morning, all of the new fires were relatively small but they are classified as out of control.
Four fires are burning to the south of Highway 3 between Castlegar and Nancy Greene Lake.
The largest one was 6.5 hectares as of Tuesday morning. This fire on Mount Neptune was discovered Aug. 10. Firefighters and helicopters are responding to the fire.
The BC Wildfire Services says increased relative humidity, rain, and lower temperatures bolstered work done by crews and aviation resources on Sunday. Fire behaviour was more subdued Monday. Additional ground crews have been assigned and continue to be supported by helicopters that are pulling water from Nancy Greene Lake.
Initial attack crews have been assigned to fires at Mt. Mackie, China Creek and Blueberry Creek (just east of Highway 3B).
To the east of Castlegar, an initial attack crew is working on a fire near Little McPhee Creek.
Initial attack crews are also working on the Hudu Creek fire east of Champion Lakes Park) and the Bear Creek fire to the southeast of Champion Lakes Park.
A fire near Ladybird Creek, north of Syringa Creek Provincial Park was discovered on Aug. 11. As of Tuesday morning, BCWS does not list any resources currently assigned to that fire.
