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Museum walking tours - Page 11 ELKFORD
Heating things up at Wildcat Days - Page 3 SPARWOOD
On Saturday, June 27 bikers mentally prepared for the first day of the second annual Fernie 3 competition — a three day race, where cyclist ride nearly 30 kilometres each day. For more photos and the full story, turn to page 21. Photo by S. Kucharski
Crews respond to fires in Kootenay Boundary Zone By Katelyn Dingman Free Press Staff
Sparwood Secondary School grad - Page 19
SPORTS
Second annual Roll and Sole - Page 22
T
he Regional District of Kootenay Boundary placed an Evacuation Alert for three homes near Highway 33 after a wildfire in the Westbridge area, estimated to be 15 hectares in size, broke out. Wildfire Management Branch crews responded to the fire 11 kilometers north of Rock Creek on Monday, June 29. The fire was caused by lightning. According to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, four firefighters, two helicopters and airtankers were
on site on Sunday, June 28 and 20 additional firefighters; three pieces of heavy equipment and industry personnel were dispatched to assist in suppression efforts. Wildfire Management Branch personnel also responded to seven other lightning-caused fires within the Boundary Zone on the weekend. The news of the Westbridge fire came after a Southeast Fire Centre warning, advising the public to be extremely vigilant while recreating over the June 27-28 weekend. The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations advisory cautioned outdoor recreation users of a significant amount of lightning in the southeast
region. “Following an unusually dry spring and with near recordbreaking temperatures expected in the region … the Southeast Fire Centre would like to remind the public of the elevated fire danger,” the notice read. “The forecast for the weekend is calling for low humidity levels as well as poor overnight recoveries, which may cause fine fuels to be particularly prone to quick ignition.” Guidelines for recreating outdoors include campfires remain smaller than a half-metre wide by a halfmetre tall, not burning in windy conditions, cooling all ashes before leaving a campfire site, not parking
Community Appreciation Day July 5 10:30am-4:30pm
all-terrain vehicles on grass or other areas where hot parts of the machine are close to combustible material and not throwing smoking material such as cigarette butts out of a vehicle window. The Southeast Fire Centre reminded the public that personal Canada Day fireworks were banned under the Category 2 Open Fire Prohibition that came into effect on June 24. The fire ban will remain in affect until further notice. To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call 1-800-663-5555 tollfree or *5555 on a cellphone.
OPEN DAILY JUNE 27 - SEPTEMBER 6