Wildfires close several B.C. highways as smoke and heat blanket Vancouver

Several out-of-control wildfires in B.C.’s Fraser Canyon and Manning Park region have forced the closures of sections of major highways, with no timeline for reopening.

The Anderson Creek wildfire, discovered on Tuesday, July 21 and currently listed at 4,333 hectares in size by the BC Wildfire Service, is the third blaze in the region of Boston Bar.

It joins the Brunswick Creek wildfire, listed as 6,140 hectares, and the Ainslie Creek wildfire, which has grown to over 18,000 hectares.

According to the Fraser Valley Regional District, people in the evacuation order area are at risk and must immediately leave.

Those in the alert areas are not required to leave at this time but must be ready to do so at a moment’s notice.

A State of Local Emergency has also been declared in some areas impacted by the wildfires.

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Evacuation orders are currently in place in the following areas:

• Hells Gate
• Scuzzy Creek FSR and South of Boston Bar
• Boston Bar
• Nahatlatch-North Boothroyd
• North Bend-Canyon Alpine Area
• Fishblue Lake Area

“The Brunswick Complex is made up of the Brunswick Creek, Ainslie Creek, and Anderson Creek wildfires,” said the BC Wildfire Service in an update dated July 22. “Fire behaviour increased significantly across the region yesterday, including notable increases along this fire’s northeast and south flanks.

“Even light winds can increase fire activity and change fire behaviour rapidly, particularly in unburnt areas within the perimeter and where challenging terrain has limited suppression options. Smoky, hazy skies will persist over the area.”

Highway 1 is currently closed in both directions for 45.2 km between Spuzzum Creek Road and Jackass Summit.

Another blaze impacting B.C. residents and travellers is the Norwegian Creek wildfire, listed at a size of 900 hectares and “out of control.”

“The Highway 3 corridor through Manning Park and hydro lines remain intact,” explained BC Wildfire Service. “However, smoke from V10942 has resulted in a highway closure for public safety.”

Drivers are asked to use Highway 5 as an alternate route.

According to the BC Wildfire Dashboard, there are 85 active wildfires in the province, with 14 started in the last 24 hours.

Wildfire smoke has also blown into Metro Vancouver, prompting an air quality advisory to be issued.

According to IQAir, which ranks air quality in major cities around the world, Vancouver is creeping up the leaderboard for the worst air quality.

IQAir updates its readings hourly, but as of 9 a.m., Vancouver was ranked 22nd for worst air quality with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 76. Vancouver has the worst air quality in the country among Canadian cities that IQAir ranks.

Just before noon on Wednesday, July 22, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued a yellow heat warning, stating that “temperatures are high and there is a risk to public health for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.”

“A ridge of high pressure is bringing elevated temperatures to the region. Daytime highs are expected to be in the low to mid 30s with overnight lows in the mid to high teens,” said the ECCC.