Kimberley Search and Rescue

07/28/2026

Heads up if you are running the Elk River!

WARNING - extreme new hazard near the Stanford on the Elk River. It has already trapped some river users.

Please make sure you exit the river well before this. There is a sign upstream on river right warning you to exit.

07/20/2026

The St, Mary’s Valley and the City of Kimberley are now on alert. See below where to find more information and how to prepare.

NEWS RELEASE: Two Evacuation Alerts Issued as Wildfires in Kimberley Area Grow (posted: July 19.26 - 8:00pm)

The City of Kimberley and Regional District of East Kootenay have issued two Evacuation Alerts this evening due to separate wildfires.

1. An Evacuation Alert has been issued for the City of Kimberley including all properties within the municipal boundaries due to the Matthew Creek Fire (N11020).

2. An Evacuation Alert has been issued for 66 properties in RDEK Electoral Area E in the St. Mary Lake area due to the Tower Creek Fires (N10944 & N10947).

This is the time for residents within both Alert areas to ensure they are staying informed from factual sources, are registered for the Regional Evacuation Notification System, and are taking steps to prepare themselves and their families should conditions worsen.

A copy of the Matthew Creek Evacuation Alert and map can be found on www.kimberley.ca, while the Evacuation Alert for the Tower Creek Fires in the St. Mary Lake area can be found on www.rdek.bc.ca

The BC Wildfire Service has mobilized equipment and is working on identifying control lines and establishing guards in the Matthew Creek area and aerial resources have been assigned as all these fires are burning in steep, hazardous terrain that makes it difficult for BC Wildfire Service crews to work safely. The latest status of the wildfires is available on www.bcwildfire.ca.

No matter where you live in the East Kootenay, please register for the Evacuation Notification System. If you are already registered, please login to confirm that the pins are on your exact location as we have found that many people have not placed their pin directly on their intended property and risk missing out on critical alerts or being alerted incorrectly. Register at www.rdek.bc.ca/ens

Those without computer access, or who would like an additional hand signing up or verifying their pinned locations, can call the Regional Emergency Information Line at 250-426-2188 or 1-855-346-2188.

07/20/2026

A quick update on the fire situation.

***UPDATED (07.19.26 9:42 PM)

Effective 8:00pm on July 19, 2026, an Evacuation ALERT has been issued for 66 properties in the St. Mary Lake Area (Electoral Area E) due to the Tower Creek Wildfires.

Effective 8:00pm on July 19, 2026, an Evacuation ALERT has been issued for the City of Kimberley, including all properties within the municipal boundaries due to the Matthew Creek Wildfire.

VIEW THE ALERTS HERE: https://www.rdek.bc.ca/departments/protectiveservices/emergencyinfo/evacuation_alerts_orders/

REGIONAL WILDFIRE UPDATE (Posted 07.19.26 4:40 PM)

A Yellow-Level Air Quality Warning is in effect from Environment Canada for:
▪ East Kootenay - south, including Cranbrook
For Air Quality Warnings, visit: https://tinyurl.com/5764jz78

Here are the latest updates on the wildfire front with information from the BC Wildfire Service:

N11020 – Matthew Creek

▪ Estimated size - 567 hectares
▪ Fire activity is expected to become more visible to surrounding areas this afternoon as we hit peak burning during the hottest part of the day.
▪ A remote camera is being used, and they are also tracking the growth by air.
▪ As the fire is in steep and mountainous terrain that is unsafe for crews to access directly, work started today for indirect attack strategies.
▪ Crews are on-site, flagging access points and identifying potential control lines.
▪ Heavy equipment has also been mobilised on-site, with additional pieces en route.

N11036 – Calamity Creek (South of the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Park)

▪ Estimated size - 70 hectares

N11027 – Bootleg Mountain

▪ Estimated size – 10 hectares
▪ Fire behaviour is being driven by elevated winds, low relative humidity, and the fuel type.
▪ Burning in steep and mountainous terrain that is unsafe for crews to action directly.
▪ There are no structures or infrastructure currently threatened.

N10947 – Tower Creek #2 (Meachen Area)

▪ Estimated size - 150 hectares
▪ A helicopter is assigned to the cluster of fires in this area

N10944 – Tower Creek (Meachen Area)

▪ Estimated size - 30 hectares
▪ This fire was previously Being Held and has been moved back to being classified as Out of Control.

N10982 – Tower Creek #3 (Meachen Area)

▪ This fire is Being Held

10943 – Meachen Creek

▪ This fire is Being Held

N11028 – Pennock Creek (Wardner area)

▪ This fire is Under Control

With a hot and dry week ahead of us, it is more important than ever to be prepared.
▪ Find wildfire preparedness information here: https://tinyurl.com/2rderzth
▪ Sign up for the Voyent Alert! Evacuation Notification System at www.rdek.bc.ca/ens

06/29/2026

We remember ❤️

Today, June 29th, we remember Nelson Search and Rescue volunteer Sheilah Sweatman who was killed 15years ago during a swift water response on the Goat River near Creston, BC. Sheilah was 29 years old at the time of her death.

06/26/2026

On Sunday, June 21, Columbia Valley Search and Rescue was called to provide mutual aid to Kimberley Search & Rescue to assist with the extraction of an injured skier. CVSAR responded with a CDFL team, supported by Glacier Helicopters Ltd. 🇨🇦 , and enabled the transport of the subject to higher medical aid.

Our newly established CDFL capability not only enhances our ability to safely and efficiently access, package, and transport patients in challenging terrain within our response area, but also allows us to provide valuable support to neighbouring SAR teams when needed.

Thank you to the dedicated volunteers from both teams whose training, teamwork, and commitment made this successful response possible.

06/11/2026

Anyone up for a round of golf?

03/08/2026

02/05/2026

Oops, it happened again! Conditions are really dicey with these freeze thaw cycles and the roads are terrible up Whiteswan, Top of the World and Ram Creek. And just a friendly reminder the Lussier Hot Springs are closed due to a serious destabilization of the large boulders hanging over the pools.

01/28/2026

Have you ever wondered what happens when you hit the ‘SOS’ button?

On January 1 two volunteers responded to help a skier with a lower leg fracture near .
The group was well prepared with a satellite messaging device to call for help, basic first aid supplies and had a nice landing area dug out and stomped in before we arrived.

Do you know what happens after you press the SOS button on your satellite messaging device? Chatting with this group we learned that it was 2 hours from the time they activated their device until our volunteers arrived on site. After you press the SOS button on your device, a call centre somewhere in the US receives the notification. They then look at your location and try to determine which jurisdiction of which authority you are in, they often get this right, but not always. After the jurisdiction is determined, the proper authority is called. That authority (usually Police, Ambulance or Parks Canada) then tries to confirm your location and if you are actually in their area of responsibility, if they will be able to access you or if they need help. If it is determined that they will need the help of the local search and rescue group, they call the Emergency Coordination Centre and ask for the local SAR group. The ECC then figures out which SAR team is closest, calls the SAR manager for that team and gives them the details about the call for help. The SAR manager then puts the callout to their team members who are volunteers going about their daily routines. If someone is available, they gather their equipment and drive to the SAR base of operations to get ready to go. If a helicopter is needed to access the people who have called for help, the local helicopter company is called to see if they are available to transport the team.

All in all, this was a fairly efficient response time. When you are out recreating, what is your emergency plan? How much daylight do you leave yourself at the end of a day out in case things go sideways? Are you and your group prepared to spend the night out if necessary?

12/24/2025

We are sad to announce on behalf of Kimberley fire that the Santa parade has been cancelled due to an active fire in town. Have a very Merry Christmas. 🎄