BURSTA dozen evacuation orders and four evacuation alerts are in place as the Brunswick Complex fires continue to burn in the Fraser Canyon.
The three wildfires have grown to over 27,000 hectares combined – the Anderson Creek blaze is listed at 4,332.9 hectares, Brunswick Creek at 6,139 hectares, and Ainslie Creek at 17,298.5 hectares.
“Until the fire no longer poses a threat to the community, values protection is the top priority,” BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) said in the latest update.
Per the update, fire behaviour was moderated by smoke for most of Wednesday (July 22) despite hot and dry conditions. Smoke grounded BCWS aircraft for the bulk of the day.
However, the fire behaviour “increased rapidly” when smoke began to clear at approximately 5 p.m.
BCWS said high temperatures and low humidity are expected on Thursday (July 23) and smoke is expected to limit air operations again.
“There is the potential for aggressive fire behaviour if smoke clears,” BCWS said.
The Brunswick Creek fire crossed Skuzzy Creek on Wednesday and moved upslope to the southwest of Boston Bar, according to BCWS.
“It is now burning in more remote terrain, where steep slopes make access challenging. Crews are assessing containment options should the fire continue to move south,” the latest update reads.
The Anderson Creek fire was discovered on Tuesday (July 21) and continues to progress towards the southern flank of the Ainslie Creek wildfire, according to BCWS.
“Structural firefighters continue to maintain sprinkler systems and are actively defending structures around Boston Bar and Boston Bar First Nation. Additional structural firefighters have been requested,” the update reads.
Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) evacuation orders are in effect for approximately 457 properties in Boston Bar, Scuzzy Creek FSR, Hell’s Gate, Nahatlatch and North Boothroyd, North Bend and Canyon Alpine, Fishblue Lake, and properties south of Boston Bar. An evacuation alert has been issued for properties south of Hell’s Gate down to Alexandra Bridge.
Boston Bar First Nation and Boothroyd Indian Band have also issued evacuation orders. Spuzzum First Nation and the Nooaitch Indian Band have issued evacuation alerts.
Water was restored to Boston Bar and North Bend on Wednesday, but an urgent boil water notice from FVRD is in effect for those areas.
Highway 1 remains closed between Spuzzum Creek Rd and Jackass Summit for a 45.2-kilometre stretch. Highway 3 is also closed from Sunshine Valley to 8km west of Manning Park Lodge due to the 900-hectare Norwegian Creek wildfire.
BCWS said fires in the Manning Park complex, including the Norwegian Creek blaze, are not a threat to structures.
“The Highway 3 corridor through Manning Park and hydro lines remain intact. However, smoke from V10942 has resulted in a highway closure for public safety,” BCWS said.