| Comments | In early August of 1931, a forest fire ignited (likely human-caused) in the East Kootenay region of BC. On August 17th, the winds shifted and the fire threatened the small logging town of Elko. After sunset, the fire had jumped the Elk River and moved into the community. Most of the community was spared however, 15 homes and 2 churches were destroyed leaving 9 families homeless. This fire measured 660 km2 (66,000 ha) and was considered to be the largest in the region's history. |