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Cranbrook, BC (July 19, 2023) – The City will be temporarily utilizing Moir Park for a contingent of BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) firefighters.

The St. Mary’s River wildfire ignited on Monday, July 17, 2023, prompting a full response by the BCWS. As of Wednesday, the fire is approximately 850 ha in size, with 52 homes in ʔaq̓am on Evacuation Order and 43 properties in ʔaq̓am and the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) on Evacuation Alert.

Four initial attack crews and two unit crews are on the ground fighting the fire. A total of 105 personnel are currently assigned to the wildfire, including localized support from City of Cranbrook and City of Kimberley firefighters. The BC Wildfire Service has mobilized heavy equipment and structure protection units as well as aviation resources including a group of skimmers, which are collecting water from Moyie Lake.

The City has granted the BCWS the use of Moir Park to serve as temporary accommodations for crew members. The site will be used by the BCWS for the duration of their time in the Cranbrook region in order to fight the St. Mary’s River Wildfire. As a result, normal user group activity will be suspended at Moir Park until further notice.

The firefighters will have full access to the Moir Park washrooms and changeroom. Approximately 46 firefighters will be utilizing the location as of Wednesday evening, with additional crew members expected to stay at Moir Park over the coming days.

For future updates regarding the St. Mary’s River wildfire, please follow the BC Wildfire Service’s Wildfire of Note page, the RDEK’s social media, and the ʔaq̓am Community social media.