BC Wildfire Service crews continue to battle the Connell Ridge fire south of Cranbrook.
The lightning caused blaze was discovered on Monday, it is pegged at 500 hectares and is classified as out of control.
An Evacuation Alert remains active for six properties south of Mount Baker along Gold Creek Forest Service Road.
The BC Wildfire Service is responding to the Connell Ridge wildfire (N10989) located approximately 15 kilometres south of the town of Cranbrook. The fire is estimated to be 150 hectares and is suspected to be lightning-caused. pic.twitter.com/B2JdKqu13V
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) August 2, 2022
Wildfire service crews also located a new blaze in the Six Mile Creek area north of Creston on Tuesday.
That fire is believed to be human caused and is burning at 20 hectares.
The BC Wildfire Service is responding to the Six Mile Creek Wildfire (N71011) located approximately 14 kilometres northeast from the town of Creston. The fire is estimated to be 20 hectares in size at this time. pic.twitter.com/CkCkpF5Ml6
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) August 3, 2022
Two lightning caused fires which were sparked over the weekend are still listed as burning out of control; this includes a 40 hectare fire northwest of Kimberley by Stair Lakes and a 3 hectare fire northeast of Invermere by Mount Docking.
Meanwhile, the BC Wildfire Service reports a skimmer aircraft experienced an engine failure while working on the Connell Ridge fire yesterday and the pilot was forced to conduct an emergency landing.
The pilot landed the aircraft successfully and was transported to receive medical assessment.
This afternoon a Conair 802 Air Tractor Fireboss Skimmer aircraft experienced an engine failure during operations while working on the Connell Ridge wildfire (N10989), 15 kilometres south of Cranbrook.
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) August 3, 2022
Find a statement from the BC Wildfire Service regarding Tuesday’s incident below:
BC Wildfire Service executive director Ian Meier has issued the following statement regarding the forced landing by a contracted Conair aircraft in the Southeast Fire Centre:
“This evening, a Conair 802 Air Tractor Fireboss Skimmer aircraft experienced an engine failure during operations on the Connell Ridge Wildfire, near Cranbrook. The pilot conducted a successful forced landing and was transported to receive medical assessment.
“Our thoughts are with the pilot involved in this incident as well as their family, friends and colleagues. The BC Wildfire Service is providing all possible assistance to the pilot and Conair.”
Conair and the BC Wildfire Service will provide more information as available.
Click here to view an interactive map of wildfire activity in BC.
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