Out-of-control wildfire on Lower Mainland sees massive growth
A human-caused wildfire on the Lower Mainland has grown to an estimated 800 hectares and continues to burn out of control Wednesday, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
The Chehalis River fire is now classified as a wildfire of note, meaning it is highly visible or poses a potential public safety risk. It is one of two burning out of control near Harrison Lake that have created smoky conditions across the Fraser Valley and Metro Vancouver, prompting an air quality advisory.
The blaze was sparked on Saturday but the BCWS says significant growth has occurred due to "active burning conditions" over the last 48 hours – with an increase in size of 500 hectares since Tuesday.
"Fire growth is in the direction away from the community, no evacuation orders or alerts are recommended at this time," an online update from the BCWS says.
The other out-of-control wildfire near Harrison Lake is less than a tenth of the size. The Staitu Creek fire is estimated at 73 hectares and has not been classified as a wildfire of note. Still, the BCWS describes it as "the highest priority fire in the Fraser Zone due to proximity to community."
No evacuation alerts or orders have been recommended, but the fire's behaviour is described by the BCWS as "aggressive" and the conditions as "challenging."
No information is currently available online regarding the magnitude of the response or the precise resources deployed. CTV News has contacted the Coastal Fire Centre to request details.
A ban on campfires comes into effect on the Lower Mainland and throughout most if the rest of the province at noon on Thursday. Tinder-dry conditions have also raised the fire danger to extreme in much of the region. According to the BCWS, this means "new fires will start easily, spread rapidly, and challenge fire suppression efforts."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
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.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.