Although the fire danger rating has been downgraded to low in the area, a new fire burning near Rossland was reported Sunday.
The fire is 1.5 kilometres east of Highway 3B, north of Rossland, confirmed Jordan Turner, fire information officer at the Southeast Fire Centre.
“A local resident saw smoke and called it in to us (Sunday),” he said, adding, “further investigation found that indeed there was a fire, though small in size.”
A three-person initial attack crew was on site Monday to set up fuel-free zones, and one helicopter was overhead to bucket the fire.
The fire was lightning-caused and considered active at press time.
A fire event that happened last week north of Champion Lakes is now classified as out, although crews remain on patrol in the affected area.
“We are continuing to monitor it on an ongoing basis,” said Turner. “Increased temperatures can make embers a fire again, and we make sure that doesn’t become an issue.”
The fire was considered Rank One, meaning it was a smouldering ground, and creeping surface fire, that burned a 0.3 hectares.
So far this season, the centre has seen 243 wildfires which have burned 415 hectares, according to its latest report.
The five-year average for this time of year is 220 fires, and this time last year, the number was significantly lower, with 54 fires burning 174 hectares.
All but one of the 47 active wildfires were caused by lightning, and with more unsettled weather in the forecast, the Centre is on alert, said Turner.
In August, 115 lightning fires were reported in the Southeast Fire Centre, an area covering six zones that stretch from the B.C./Alberta border in the east to the Boundary area in the west and from the Canada/US border in the south to the North Columbia/Golden region in the north.
To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call (star) *5555 on a cellphone or 1-800-663-5555.
For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning prohibitions, road closures and air quality advisories, visit bcwildfire.ca.