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UPDATE: Area restrictions announced for wildfire near Kaslo

The Briggs Creek fire is approximately 11.5 kilometres west of Kaslo
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Smoke from the Briggs Creek fire is seen here in the skies above the Kaslo area. Photo: BC Wildfire Service

An area restriction has been ordered for the Briggs Creek wildfire near Kaslo.

BC Wildfire Service said in an announcement Thursday the public would not be allowed to be near 1,679-hectare fire, located approximately 11.5 kilometres west of Kaslo.

The restricted area cut off begins “at the junction of Highway 31A and Kaslo River South Fork Road, following the road along Keen Creek west then south to Desmond Creek up to the height of land then southeast to the peak of Kyawats Mountain.

“From the peak of Kyawats Mountain, east to Mount Chipman, then east to True Blue Mountain, following the ridgeline north down to Kemp Creek confluence, following west of Highway 31A back to the point of commencement at the junction of Highway 31A and Kaslo River South Fork Road.”

A map of the restricted area can be viewed online here.

The only people who may enter the area must have written authorization or are travelling to or from their principle residence that isn’t under an evacuation order. They can also use the highway or be entering the area as part of wildfire suppression and patrol enforcement activities.

Violating the area can result in a $1,150 ticket. The restrictions will remain in effect until noon on Oct. 15, or until they are rescinded.

The fire was started, likely by lightning, on Monday. In an update Thursday, the wildfire service said it remains high on a slope and has not been able to spread downward due changes in fuel type.

Fourteen properties on Kaslo Creek South Fork Road meanwhile remain on evacuation alert due to the fire. Those addresses include: 2130, 2138, 2140, 2150, 2160, 2180, 2188, 2194, 2198, 2201, 2209, 2215, 2221 and 2225.

The Briggs Creek fire is the largest in the Southeast Fire District, which includes Kootenays and to an area north of Revelstoke and Golden.

The district’s other fire of note is the 1,143-hectare Connell Ridge wildfire, located approximately 15 kilometres south of Cranbrook.

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