Squamish Wildfire Triggers Evacuation Alerts for 16 Properties Amid Early Heatwave

A wildfire burning just north of Squamish, B.C., near the Sea-to-Sky Highway has put 16 properties under evacuation alert and sparked concern among residents as unseasonal heat accelerates fire risks across the region.

The blaze, reported Monday afternoon, is located east of Brackendale and near several popular backcountry trails. As of late Monday, it had grown to five hectares. Squamish Fire Rescue is leading the firefighting response, with support from the B.C. Wildfire Service, which deployed two helicopters and an air tanker to the scene.

Officials have urged drivers to avoid stopping along Highway 99 to view the fire, warning of safety hazards due to traffic and fire conditions.

Residents under evacuation alert are being advised to prepare essentials and arrange accommodations in case an evacuation order is issued.

Adam Levitt, a longtime resident of the Sea-to-Sky region, captured footage of the fire burning on a hillside behind his home.

"Everyone in the neighborhood is kind of out on the street and definitely a little bit nervous," he told CBC. “It’s eerily warm for this early in the season. This one feels like a bit of a wake-up call.”

Environment Canada says record-breaking heat will persist across the Howe Sound region, including Squamish, into the week.

The fire is believed to have been caused by human activity — a category that includes any blaze not sparked by lightning, such as unattended campfires or sparks from machinery. It’s burning near key infrastructure, including trails, utility poles, and cellular towers.

Despite the anxiety in the community, Levitt commended the firefighting response he witnessed: “They were right on it — with hoses on the ground and helicopters dumping water. Hopefully they can knock it down quickly.”

Gordon Robinson of the B.C. Coastal Fire Centre said the heat and dry weather are rapidly drying surface-level fuels like grass, needles, and leaves — making them highly flammable.

While the fire risk in Squamish is rising, officials say the province's northeast remains their top concern due to ongoing drought and heightened wildfire potential heading into summer.