UPDATE: Wildfires close two major B.C. highways as Fraser Canyon evacuation orders expand

The fire in the Anderson River area is an estimated 10 square kilometres in size, and it’s spreading quickly in strong winds. The Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) has issued a number of evacuation orders south of Boston Bar including the Scuzzy Creek forest service road and the Hell’s Gate area.

“Approximately 457 properties are on evacuation order,” said Samantha Piper, a spokesperson with the FVRD. “Leaving the area is not only for your protection but also for the protection of first responders who are working the wildfires.”

(Image Credit: Fraser Valley Regional District)

Piper said a reception centre has been set up at McArthur Island in Kamloops as well as at the Shxwhá:y Cultural Centre at 44680 Schweyey Road in Chilliwack. It’s unclear how many people stayed back in Boston Bar, as the community was first ordered to evacuate on Thursday (July 16) last week.

Evacuation orders have been in effect for North Bend since July 4 and Canyon Alpine since July 7. Previously issued evacuation orders for Fishblue Lake Area (July 5) and Nahatlatch-North Boothroyd (July 8) are also still in effect.

The water system in Boston Bar has also been shutdown “to avoid catastrophic damage” as the amount of water being drawn was far exceeding the available supply. Piper said the FVRD lost a reliable connection with the water system, but notes the BC Wildfire Service and the Boston Bar Fire Department have secured alternate sources of water.

“The entire area serviced by the Boston Bar water system remains under an evacuation order and residents are required to leave the area immediately,” Piper said. “Once conditions allow and the system can be safely assessed and operated, the water system will be returned to service.”

“The immediate priority remains the safe evacuation of community members and supporting first responders.”

The FVRD also issued an evacuation alert for properties south of Hells Gate to Alexandra Bridge due to the ongoing risk presented by the three wildfires that make up the Brunswick Complex. Piper said there are 18 properties currently on evacuation alert in the FVRD.

“You are not required to evacuate at this time but you must be prepared to evacuate on short notice,” the evacuation alert said. “You must prepare yourself and any necessary supplies.”

At last check, the Brunswick Creek fire was an estimated 54 square kilometres in size, while the Ainslie Creek fire was an estimated 165 square kilometres in size.

Location of the new wildfire (circled in blue) in proximity to the Brunswick Creek fire (middle) and the Ainslie Creek fire. (Image Credit: BC Wildfire Service)

According to Drive BC, a 41 kilometre stretch of Highway 1 between Anderson River Forest Service Road and Jackass Summit is currently closed. The next update is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Elsewhere, Highway 3 between Sunshine Valley and Manning Park will also remain closed overnight due to the Norwegian Creek wildfire. The fire alongside a stretch of highway east of Hope was sparked by lighting on July 17, and it’s now estimated to be 2.5 square kilometres in size.

Another update on the status of Highway 3 is also due at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday (July 23).

Drivers between interior and the Lower Mainland can still use the Coquihalla Highway as it remains open despite a 43 hectare fire burning near Dewdney Creek, south of the Great Bear Snowshed. Highway 99 through Lillooet and Whistler is also open as a fire that broke out near Pemberton is currently being held.

– With files from James Peters/CFJC Today

by Victor Kaisar

UPDATE: Wildfires close two major B.C. highways as Fraser Canyon evacuation orders expand

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