A massive fire continues to burn in Delta in Burns Bog, and Mayor Lois E. Jackson is urging the public to stay away.
Fire crews have been hard at work battling the blaze that broke out around midday. Water bombers have also been on scene attacking the fire from above.
One firefighter has been injured and taken to hospital. One rollover car accident in the area has been reported as well, likely because of slowing to look at or photograph the fire. Delta Police echo the plea for people to keep clear of the fire area.
See also
- Massive fire in Burns Bog in Delta
- Burns Bog fire grows to 50 hectares (PHOTOS)
- One week prediction before Burns Bog fire fully extinguished
- Burns Bog evacuation orders scaled down as smell of smoke moves throughout region, blaze continues
- Burns Bog fire update: "We are under provincial emergency status right now"
BC Wildfire Service says the fire is approximately 50 hectares in size, though because it is moving so fast, it is hard to fully pinpoint an exact size at this time.
Delta’s fire chief says Burns Bog fire has grown so much, so quickly that crews don’t have current estimate on size pic.twitter.com/DJExujBdBq
— Miguel Ramos (@MRamosTV) July 4, 2016
Reports at just before 6 pm indicate the fire may have jumped Highway 17 at 80th.
Smoke from the fire is visible across the Metro Vancouver area, with reports of ash falling in some communities. Active winds are not only moving the smoke through the region, but also posing a serious challenge for firefighters, officials said during a media briefing Sunday evening.
Talon Helicopters assisting with Burns Bog Fire. @taloncopters @BCGovFireInfo @DFF1763 pic.twitter.com/97Q2E9mGK4
— Vancity Stringer (@stucktweet) July 3, 2016
Jackson said that multiple fire agencies were helping fight the fast-moving blaze. There are 80 firefighters on the ground, five air tankers, and four helicopters currently in use.
Several businesses in Tilbury Industrial Park are under evacuation, with Delta Police handling the evacuation. Additionally at risk are nearby farms, and Jackson said radio towers have been lost to the fire.
The fire is expected to burn for several days, particularly due to the peat that’s in the Bog.
Current traffic closures:
- Highway 17 between 99 and 91 Connector
- Can’t get onto Highway 17 from Tsawwassen (must get on 17A)
- River Road closed from Deas Island Way to 96th Street
- UPDATE – 9:11 pm: Highway 17 between Highway 99 and Highway 91 will remained closed in both directions overnight
More to come…
#BurnsBogFire may cause reduced air quality. To monitor current air quality in #DeltaBC see @MetroVancouver AirMap: https://t.co/Z4Jiv74ZXH
— Corporation of Delta (@CorpDelta) July 4, 2016
#BurnsBog fire seen from Hwy 17A. Just after this photo, @BCGovFireInfo water bomber did a pass over the fire. pic.twitter.com/TAtRBhh9O0
— Carla Qualtrough (@CQualtro) July 3, 2016
#BurnsBog fire in Delta, BC seen from Progress Way & 80th street pic.twitter.com/iNzIuFNiYV
— Sonika (@SonikaArora604) July 4, 2016
#BurnsBogFire traffic: only #BCHwy99 and #BCHwy91 open in area now. If you can avoid area entirely where possible pls do!!!
— Delta Police (@deltapolice) July 4, 2016
Water bombers hard at work, 3 minute loop between refueling with Fraser River water! #burnsbogfire pic.twitter.com/elbqXAglqc
— Heather Johnson (@hjohnson37) July 4, 2016
Difference of an hour in #newwest #BurnsBogFire pic.twitter.com/NTKBNkdwkS
— Mike T (@cookncarpenter) July 4, 2016
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