Interface fire - updated to show info on Lamb Creek fire in 2003

Just in case you forgot about the fire in 2003

From The Ministry of Forests Homepage - Protection Branch 2003

Lamb Creek fire

(N10470)

This fire was discovered on Aug 7, 2003 12:25 PM.

LAMB CREEK UPDATE - Aug 31 at Noon

Aug 31, 2003 12:18 PM

Lamb Creek Fire, Cranbrook zone, 15 km SW of Cranbrook, W of Moyie Lake

Fire status

� The fire remains at approximately 10637 hectares in size

� No structures have been lost

� Heavy machinery is close to completing the fire guard above the homes at Monroe Lake and mop-up is continuing in the area of some homes

� Evacuees in the Monroe Lake area were permitted to return to their homes yesterday between 08:00 and 12:00 to check on perishables and the state of their homes

� Today, an escorted entry for one resident per household is being conducted in the Green Bay area so that residents can check on the state of their homes

� Yesterday, a successful burn-off was completed in the Lamb Creek drainage

� On the west flank there was a small excursion that was quickly guarded by crews and heavy equipment

� Mop-up is continuing on some quieter flanks of the fire

� Crews also contained a spot fire on the east side of Highway 3/95. The fire was caused by a lightning strike that occurred a few days ago

� Today weather conditions will be warmer and drier and some moderate winds are expected. In preparation, fire guards are being reinforced and crews are being pre-positioned in the appropriate areas

� Contingency guards are in place around the fire

� Fire control operations continue with 17 helicopters, 70 pieces of heavy equipment, and 2 boats

� There are 380 Forest Service fire fighters assigned to the Moyie Complex and 140 structural fire fighters in the Cranbrook area

Evacuation status

LAMB CREEK SUMMARY:

TOTAL PEOPLE AFFECTED: 1046

TOTAL RESIDENCES AFFECTED: 598

FIRE NOTICE

TOTAL PEOPLE: NIL

TOTAL RESIDENCES: NIL

EVACUATION ALERT (Aug 26 @ 18:30 MDT & Aug 27 @ 08:00 MDT)

TOTAL PEOPLE: 851

TOTAL RESIDENCES: 472

EVACUATION ORDER (Aug 25 @19:00 MDT & Aug 27 @ 08:00 MDT)

TOTAL PEOPLE: 195

TOTAL RESIDENCES: 126

REGISTERED AT RECEPTION CENTRE: 181

as of 4 p.m., Aug 30

� The Office of the Fire Commissioner issued an Evacuation Order at 08:00 hours on Aug. 27, to residents of the Lamb Creek area, including: Highway 3/95 from Green Bay Road to the north end of Twin Lakes; including west side of Highway 3/95 between Green Bay Road and north end of Twin Lakes. Due west of Highway 3/95 at Twin Lakes to Negro Creek watershed. South along Negro Creek watershed to Lumberton Forest Service Road to the southern height of land.

� As of 18:30 August 25, 2003 an Evacuation Order was put in place for an area near Moyie Lake. The area extends from the junction of the Little Lamb, Lamb Creek Forest Service Road to the bridge at the narrows on Moyie Lake. The area boundary runs north along Moyie Lake to Highway 3/95, north on Highway 3/95 to Hiawatha Bridge to the junction of Little Lamb, Lamb Creek Forest Service Road. This is the same area that was under evacuation alert of August 16th. This order will remain in effect until further notice.

o Evacuation Reception Centre is at the Heritage Inn, 803 Cranbrook Street North in Cranbrook. Residents can contact the reception centre at 250 489-4301.

o For more information, residents can call the Emergency Operations Centre public information line, which is open 24 hours a day, at 250 420-4212 and 250 420-4211.It is important that residents report to the designated Evacuation Reception Centre at the Heritage Inn, 803 Cranbrook Street North in Cranbrook.

� As of 18:30 MDT on August 26, 2003 the Office of the Fire Commissioner upgraded the FIRE NOTICE to an EVACUATION ALERT for the Lumberton and Jim Smith Lake areas south of Cranbrook. The area is described as Hwy 3/95 from the junction of Lumberton Rd, including the west side of Hwy 3/95 to the junction of Jim Smith Lake Rd. Including Jim Smith and New Lake. Hwy 3/95 from Elizabeth Lake to Silver Springs Rd, including residents between the two points and along Hwy 3/95 and including Silver Springs. This does not include Gold Creek or Cranbrook.