August 12, 2024

Nelson, BC: On the recommendation of the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has downgraded the Evacuation Order for 43 properties and 31 parcel identifiers (PIDs) in Electoral Area H to an Evacuation Alert due to the Komonko Creek wildfire (formerly known as the Aylwin Creek Wildfire), part of the Slocan Lake Complex. The area includes properties from 3 km north of the Village of Slocan to Red Mountain Road. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has now opened Highway 6 completely; however, please drive with caution as crews are still working in the area. See a map and impacted addresses below.

Komonko Creek Evacuation Alert Addresses [PDF - 818 KB]
Komonko Creek Evacuation Alert Map [PDF - 14 MB]

Residents that have been downgraded to an Evacuation Alert are returning to a community where the surrounding area was affected by a wildfire. Unseen dangers may linger when returning to their homes and properties, ranging from gas leaks and weakened foundations to danger trees, and exposed wires and power lines. Using caution can help reduce potential injuries. When in doubt, consult an expert for help.

Burned forests have significant hazards. This will remain for years. The fire has left behind danger trees - those are trees which can fall without warning even without a wind, due to roots being burned out. As well, watch for ash pits and mark them for safety. Ash pits are holes full of hot ashes, created by burned trees and stumps. You can be seriously burned by falling into ash pits or landing in them with your hands or feet. Warn your family and neighbours to keep clear of the pits.

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. The RDCK will be sending out information on spoiled food waste and fridge/freezer collection later today, but in the mean time 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.

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, part of the Slocan Lake Complex. The Slocan Lake Complex includes the Aylwin Creek wildfire, 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.

The Komonko wildfire was first discovered on July 19 and the suspected cause is a lightning strike.

Updates or changes to the Evacuation Alert or Order will be provided via the RDCK website, Facebook, and X as more information becomes available. For details about evacuation and emergency preparedness, along with other resources, please visit www.rdck.ca/eocinfo. The RDCK EOC public inquiry line is 250.352.7701 or 1.866.522.7701 (toll free).

For up to date information on current wildfire activity, conditions and prohibitions, call 1.888.336.7378 or visit www.bcwildfire.ca.

For more information about evacuations and emergency preparedness, along with other resources:

Click here to view a print-friendly PDF version.

The content on this page was last updated August 12 2024 at 1:53 AM

Back to top

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.