Suspected human-caused out-of-control wildfire burning in Metro Vancouver park
An out-of-control wildfire is burning in a popular Metro Vancouver park, and authorities are asking residents to clear the area.
The Village of Anmore has announced that emergency crews are responding to a ground fire located under the power lines in the area behind Crystal Creek in Belcarra Regional Park.
“According to Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department, Sasamat Fire, Port Moody Fire, and BC Wildfire Service are on scene, with a helicopter and air tanker support responding,” said the Village in a public advisory.
“Residents are asked to avoid the area and give emergency crews plenty of space to work.”
Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department
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According to the BC Wildfire Service, the out-of-control blaze in Belcarra Park was discovered on Aug. 5 and currently measures 0.8 hectares.
The Coastal Wildfire Centre lists the location as being on Bedwell Bay Road and that the suspected cause is human-related.
“This wildfire is currently burning 2.5 km west of Port Moody, and 0.5 km away from Black Bear Way and is highly visible from the Lower Mainland, including Port Moody, Coquitlam and North Vancouver,” said BC Wildfire Service online.
Smoke from the Belcarra Park wildfire as seen from a passing West Coast Express Train (Principle Signal/Reddit)
Metro Vancouver Regional District also posted an update this afternoon, adding that the fire currently appears to be near Sugar Mountain Trail.
The District added that its emergency management staff, regional parks staff, and watershed protection firefighting crews are also on the scene.
“Three BC Wildfire Service helicopters are dumping water on the fire. All agencies are working together to attack the fire, and Metro Vancouver is grateful for the support and cooperation,” it added in its public update.
Metro Vancouver Regional District
Local residents shared their experience on Reddit this afternoon, with one person stating that all they hear in Anmore is helicopters and sirens.
“Air quality seems to have gotten noticeably worse here in Anmore with a really strong burning smell,” a resident shared. “Village of Anmore states to avoid the area to let crews work and that the fire is under power lines.”
Another person added that they tried to go to Buntzen Lake but were turned away.
“They are evacuating.”
There are currently 115 wildfires burning in B.C. at the time of publication, with nine started in the last 24 hours.
A BC Wildfire Service provincial situation report issued on Aug. 5 warned that there is “potential for fire activity to increase” as hot and dry conditions return for the majority of the province.
“Winds are forecast to remain light across much of the province, with some localized variability,” it added. “These weather conditions may allow smoke to linger and become more visible in southern parts of the province.
“With the change in weather, we may begin to see holdover fires, lightning-caused fires where heat smoulders undetected until hotter, drier and windier conditions lead to more visible smoke.”