Out-of-Control Wildfire Near Boston Bar Prompts Evacuation of About 60 Residences
Sarah Desjardins
7/6/20262 min read
A tactical evacuation is underway in North Bend, B.C., where residents are being told to leave immediately because of the nearby Brunswick Creek wildfire burning near Boston Bar in the Fraser Canyon.
The B.C. Wildfire Service says tactical evacuations are used when a sudden threat to life requires immediate action and there is no time to prepare or issue written warnings.
The evacuation order covers the entire community of North Bend and extends north along Chaumox Road, affecting approximately 60 residences, according to the Fraser Valley Regional District.
The district says the entire community of Boston Bar is also now under an evacuation alert.
Evacuees Directed to Hope Recreation Centre
Boston Bar and North Bend sit across the Fraser River from each other in the rugged Fraser Canyon. About 500 people live in the area.
The regional district says the evacuation is being carried out on the recommendation of the B.C. Wildfire Service.
The Boston Bar First Nation says the Hope Recreation Centre in Hope, south of Boston Bar, is open for North Bend evacuees, though space is limited.
In a Facebook update, the First Nation asked people who have family, friends or another safe place to stay to use those options so space can be reserved for those in urgent need.
An evacuation alert had already been in place since Friday afternoon for four properties on Chaumox Road, north of North Bend.
Fire Grows to About 100 Hectares
The B.C. Wildfire Service says the Brunswick Creek wildfire is believed to be human-caused and remains out of control.
As of Saturday, the fire was estimated at about 100 hectares.
Officials say the increase from an earlier estimate of about 14 hectares on Friday reflects more accurate aerial mapping.
Strong downslope winds gusting between 40 and 50 kilometres an hour have increased both the fire’s size and behaviour, according to Sam Bellion, an information officer with the Coastal Fire Centre.
Bellion said the winds are creating safety risks for wildfire responders and have caused several spot fires north of the main fire, which crews are also working to contain.
Fire Behaviour Intensifies
The wildfire is now burning at Rank 3 to 4, meaning conditions range from a moderately vigorous surface fire to a highly vigorous surface fire.
Earlier Saturday, officials said the fire was burning at Rank 1 to 2, which indicates conditions ranging from a low-smouldering ground fire to a low-vigour surface fire.
The wildfire service says aviation support has been limited at times because of weather and terrain.
Smoke from the fire has been highly visible from Highway 1 and in areas including Kamloops and Merritt.
Crews and Aircraft Responding
Wildfire crews are supporting the Boston Bar Fire Department with three initial attack crews, two unit crews, two response officers, three helicopters and heavy equipment.
Traffic on Chaumox Road is restricted to local residents only.
Officials say there are no anticipated impacts to Highway 1 at this time.
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