Fire crews battling wildfire at Whyte Lake near Horseshoe Bay

West Vancouver Fire & Rescue crews are currently battling an active wildfire just north of Horseshoe Bay.

Fire crews received almost 100 calls at approximately 8 pm on Wednesday night about a fire located 200 metres above the Squamish highway.

According to BC Wildfire Service, the fire is located at Whyte Lake, the largest park in West Vancouver.

While it first began at 1000 square metres, it has since grown to 3000 square metres in size.

An extensive ground operation as performed, as well as four aerial units dropping both water and a flame-retardant solution.

Smoke can be seen from Horseshoe Bay, from the Sea to Sky Highway, and from the water.

@WestVanFireDept what’s going above the sea to sky just past horseshoe bay? Looks like a fire? pic.twitter.com/Q3ASwT29ZU

— Dr.Nicholas Lendvoy (@NLendvoy) August 9, 2018

The #HorseshoeBayFire from the Coastal Celebration this morning. The sun really shows how much smoke is coming off it pic.twitter.com/ryFaX0kTP2

— Jeremy Marc Poitras (@jermsp) August 9, 2018

Whyte Lake Trail, a 3 km trail that can be accessed from Westport Road, has been closed to the public.

All Baden Powell trails and trails in and around Whyte Lake are closed due to active wildfire. We are asking all members of the public to avoid the area till further notice @WestVanDistrict @WestVanPolice @globalnews @NEWS1130 @NEWS1130 @CBCNews @CTVVancouver

— W V Fire & Rescue (@WestVanFireDept) August 9, 2018

One northbound lane moving northbound on the Sea to Sky highway has been partially closed.

#WVPDTraffic – One northbound lane closed Hwy#99 north of Horseshoe Bay for staging of @WestVanFireDept & @BCGovFireInfo response to active fire above highway at Pasco Rd. Pls use caution passing area. pic.twitter.com/fk41qxxwil

— West Vancouver PD (@WestVanPolice) August 9, 2018

Update: The wildfire is currently 50% contained.

UPDATE 9:36 am: Wildfire near Whyte Lake in #WestVan is now 50% contained. Crews continue fighting the fire using helicopters. All trails in the area remain closed. Details: https://t.co/qR3yNdqYi1

— W V Fire & Rescue (@WestVanFireDept) August 10, 2018

Although an exact cause of the fire remains unknown, crews are almost certain that the blaze was human-caused.

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