Crews Respond to Wildfire in Gilpin Grasslands with Direct Attack

The BC Wildfire Service responded over Thanksgiving weekend to a wildfire in the Gilpin Grasslands, a Provincial Park located between Grand Forks and Christina Lake.

The wildfire, roughly 10km east of Grand Forks and 7km west of Christina Lake, is maximum 150 hectares in size, according to information from the BC Wildfire Service.

“It is located adjacent to Highway 3 and is highly visible to surrounding communities, as well as people traveling in the area,” the service stated online. “The cause is under investigation and no structures are currently threatened.”

“The Emergency Program is aware of the fire located in the Gilpin Grasslands Park along Hwy 3,” added the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary. “There are no structures threatened at this time. “The RDKB will continue to monitor the situation. Please stay clear of the area.”

UPDATE: Overnight, the fire did not grow significantly, the BC Wildfire Service updated on Monday.

“The response continues with 20 Service personnel, two helicopters, and two pieces of heavy equipment working with 27 regional fire department personnel,” the organization stated in an update. “Crews are working this morning on establishing water delivery systems and directly attacking the fire’s edge on both flanks. “

The direct attack approach is typically conducted on low-intensity wildfires that pose minimal risk to safety of firefighters. 

Highway 3 remains open, “with traffic control in place as needed to ensure operations can continue safely.”

UPDATE 2: As of Monday evening, the Gilpin Grasslands fire is considered Being Held.

“At this stage, the wildfire is not likely to spread beyond predetermined boundaries under prevailing conditions,” the BC Wildfire Service tweeted.

The Gilpin Grasslands region was designated in 2007 as Provincial Park to protect a distinctive grassland ecosystem and maintain essential habitat for known provincially listed species-at-risk, including blue-listed bighorn sheep.