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A wildfire burning in B.C.’s Fraser Canyon has forced more evacuations as it burns out of control and threatens homes.
As of Wednesday morning, the Brunswick Creek fire near Boston Bar, B.C., has grown to 2,623 hectares, or about 26 square kilometres. The fire, which has been burning since July 2, is considered out of control.
Several evacuation orders have been issued by the local regional district and nearby First Nations.
Just across Highway 1 from the Brunswick Creek fire, the Ainslie Creek fire has burned 16,987 hectares — nearly 170 square kilometres — as of 6:50 p.m. PT.
An evacuation alert was issued at 7:00 p.m. PT on Wednesday for approximately 61 properties west of Spius Creek including Petit Creek Road and Prospect Creek Forest Service Road.
About 230 B.C. Hydro customers in and around the Boston Bar evacuation zone have been without electricity since Tuesday afternoon.
Highway 1 near Boston Bar is closed in both directions as a result of the two fires.
Both fires are suspected to be caused by human activity.
Hot, dry conditions and strong winds drove fire growth on Tuesday, the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) said in an update Wednesday morning. Though temperatures are expected to be cooler on Wednesday, winds are forecast to remain strong, the service said.
BCWS said there are 146 wildland firefighters assigned to the Brunswick Complex — made up of the Brunswick Creek and Ainslee Creek fires and a third smaller fire — along with 12 helicopters that are bucketing water.
Air quality warnings have been issued for some parts of the Interior as smoke from the fire blows east. Environment Canada meteorologist Morgen Shull said those warnings will likely remain in place for the next couple of days.
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