Cool weather slows growth

Photo: Diamond Creek Fire Facebook

Crews in Washington State creating fire perimeter

The recent cool weather has slowed the growth of the Diamond Creek wildfire, burning in the backcountry between Manning and Cathedral Provincial Parks.

The fire has now scorched just under 10,500 hectares of B.C. soil since jumping the border from Washington State on Aug. 29. That is up from 9,500 hectares on Tuesday.

B.C. Wildfire crews continue to hang back, and let the fire burn in high-alpine terrain that has been ravaged by the pine and spruce beetles in recent years.

“Under certain circumstances, a wildfire may be deemed beneficial and, therefore, warrant a modified response, with crews monitoring and managing a fire, rather than fighting it,” a statement reads on the B.C. Wildfire Service’s website.

“Fire removes low-growing underbrush, cleans the forest floor of debris, opens it up to sunlight, and nourishes the soil. This leads to healthier forests and stronger growth.”

The province is conducting aerial surveys of the fire twice a day to map the fire and watch for growth.

Two helicopters and five firefighting personnel are engaged on the fire.

Cathedral Lakes Provincial Park remains closed, with an area restriction around the fire still in effect.