Growing wildfire closes regional park in Metro Vancouver
A regional park in Coquitlam remained closed Sunday as crews continued to battle a growing wildfire.
The blaze in Minnekhada Regional Park was listed at two hectares in size on the BC Wildfire Service's online dashboard Sunday morning, but by noon, it had been revised to 11 hectares.
A BCWS spokesperson told CTV News it is an "assisting agency" in the response to the wildfire, referring further questions about the response to Metro Vancouver.
CTV News has reached out to the regional district for more information.
In updates on social media, Metro Vancouver said the park closure began early Saturday afternoon "to assist with firefighting operations and ensure public safety." Another social media post Sunday evening said "there is no concern for evacuation and no structures are threatened."
Crews from the BC Wildfire Service, Coquitlam Fire Rescue Services and Metro Vancouver Emergency Services were all working to put out the blaze, according to the regional district.
The BCWS said it had two helicopters and one unit crew of 20 firefighters responding to the blaze as of noon Sunday.
In its own tweet Saturday, Metro Vancouver Emergency Services said the fire is "under control and not spreading."
That appears to no longer be the case, given the growth in size reported by the wildfire service.
The BCWS dashboard listed the fire as "out of control" and its suspected cause as "human."
The fire continued to burn overnight on steep terrain, and Metro Vancouver said ground and helicopter crews would resume operations "at first light" Sunday.
Metro Vancouver Emergency Services said smoke from the blaze was affecting air quality in some parts of the region. The agency suggested residents check Metro Vancouver's online air map for details on their local air quality.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'The lost season': Winter comes to a close as Canada's warmest on record
The warmest winter on record could have far-reaching effects on everything from wildfire season to erosion, climatologists say, while offering a preview of what the season could resemble in the not-so-distant future unless steps are taken to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
NEW High thoughts: The habits of Canadian cannabis users are revealed in a new StatCan report
Statistics Canada has conducted a series of surveys to measure the impacts of legalized cannabis since the Cannabis Act took effect in 2018. The latest one, the 2023 National Cannabis Survey, sheds light on users' preferences and habits last year.
Freddie Mercury's home is on the market for first time since 1980 minus his 'exquisite clutter'
Freddie Mercury's sanctuary in London, where he lived the last decade of his life, is on sale for the first time in nearly half a century -- minus his "exquisite clutter."
NEW Where to watch the state funeral for former prime minister Brian Mulroney
A state funeral for former prime minister Brian Mulroney will be held in Montreal on March 23. CTV News will have live special coverage of his funeral service.
Trump says Jews who vote for Democrats 'hate Israel' and their religion
Former U.S. president Donald Trump on Monday charged that Jews who vote for Democrats 'hate Israel' and hate 'their religion,' igniting a firestorm of criticism from the White House and Jewish leaders.
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.