Minnekhada Park wildfire still out of control, crews anticipate 'multi-day operation'
The sound of choppers was relentless over Coquitlam, B.C. on Monday, as five helicopters took turns pouring thousands of litres of water every hour on the wildfire burning in Minnekhada Regional Park.
On Saturday morning, a brush fire was reported prompting a closure of the park to all visitors.
As on Monday, it had grown to 12 hectares and was still classified as out of control but firefighters reported it did not grow significantly overnight Sunday, saying and they have slowed its growth.
The fire is described as spotty, stubborn, and burning in steep terrain.
"The wildfire has been burning in very steep, heavy terrain within the regional park. We've encountered falling rocks, falling trees, hollowed out trees that are falling in and around our crews," said Brant Arnold-Smith, emergency operations centre director for Metro Vancouver Regional District.
"Safety of our crews as well as the public is a priority, so we've had to take that strategic consideration with all of our tactical operations on site.
Pilots have been using water from the Pitt River and a hydrant at a nearby lodge.
Smoke is still an issue in parts of Metro Vancouver, but the air quality has improved.
“Just know that there are tinder dry conditions,” said Arnold-Smith. “We’re at a high to extreme fire rating point now, and it does not take a lot to ignite a small brush fire, and have that brush fire grow,” he cautioned.
With no rain in the forecast for at least a week, the operation is expected to take several days.
"With continued dry weather in the area and also in the forecast, the firefighting effort is expected to be a multi-day operation and we will be on site for a number of days to come," Arnold said.
The BC Wildfire Service says it's believed the blaze is human-caused, but the investigation is ongoing.
In an update over the weekend, officials reminded residents that the use of drones over an active wildfire is "strictly prohibited" after one was spotted in the area Saturday night.
"The use of drones impedes operations and puts firefighters and pilots at risk," BC Wildfire Service said in a social media post.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spring allergy season has begun. Where is it worse in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
N.B. man wins $64 million from Lotto 6/49
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
Fallen crypto mogul Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison
Crypto entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in prison for a massive fraud that unravelled with the collapse of FTX, once one of the world's most popular platforms for exchanging digital currency.
A dog and a bird formed an unlikely friendship. Their separation has infuriated followers
Peggy is a stout and muscular Staffordshire bull terrier, and Molly is a magpie, an Australian bird best known for swooping on humans during breeding season, not for befriending dogs. But in an emotional video posted online, Peggy’s owners announced that the animals had been separated.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.