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
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Made-in-Newfoundland vodka claims top prize at worldwide competition
A Newfoundland-made vodka has been named one of the world’s best by judges at this year’s World Vodka Awards.