Structures lost to B.C. wildfire as hundreds of properties under evacuation orders

A stretch of Highway 1 remains closed and now structures have been lost in the fight against out-of-control wildfires near Boston Bar.

The Fraser Valley Regional District confirms structures have been lost to the Brunswick Complex fire burning north of Boston Bar, but says conditions on the ground are too dangerous for a proper damage assessment.

The regional district did not say how many structures had been damaged, nor what type of buildings they were, citing the need to alert property owners.

The raging wildfire that has left hundreds of properties under evacuation orders and shut down the Trans-Canada Highway in British Columbia’s Fraser Canyon exploded in size overnight.

The Brunswick Complex fire covered an estimated 115 square kilometres on Wednesday, comprising the 2,623-hectare Brunswick Creek fire and the 8,846-hectare Ainslie Creek fire.

Both fires are burning out of control and the Ainslie Creek fire is believed to have been sparked by an ember from the Brunswick Creek fire, which is suspected to have been caused by human activity.

The fire complex, which now spans the Fraser River north of the community of Boston Bar, is also burning on both sides of the Trans-Canada Highway, prompting the B.C. Transportation Ministry to close the highway for 10.5 kilometres through the fire zone.

The province’s transportation website, Drive BC, says Highway 1 remains closed between Boston Bar Station Road and Ainslie Road North.

Six evacuation orders are in effect, including for three areas within the Fraser Valley Regional District, two in the Boston Bar First Nation and another in the Boothroyd Indian Band.

Two evacuation alerts are also in place for properties within the regional district, including much of the community of Boston Bar itself.

‘Challenging days ahead’

The B.C. Wildfire Service says 146 firefighters are battling the fire complex along with 12 helicopters and 21 pieces of heavy equipment.

Fifty-seven structure protection personnel are also assigned to the blaze and are being assisted by firefighters from several municipal departments in the area.

Inaccessible terrain, coupled with thick smoke and high winds have hampered efforts to contain the blazes, which have triggered air-quality warnings across a large swath of the B.C. Interior.

“While temperatures will be cooler today thanks to overcast conditions, winds will be elevated again, which could increase fire behaviour and activity, particularly in the afternoon,” the provincial wildfire service said in an update.

“Cooler temperatures will briefly return by the end of the week, but no appreciable rain is expected in the short-term forecast.”

The communities of Ashcroft, Kamloops and Revelstoke were experiencing the poorest air quality due to wildfire smoke, with Environment Canada advising residents to avoid strenuous outdoor activities until the alert has lifted.

“Exposure to high smoke levels can pose threat to your health regardless of age or health status,” the weather office warned.

“Some people are more likely to be negatively impacted by smoke. This includes people with lung and heart conditions, pregnant individuals, infants and young children, people aged 65 and older, and anyone whose health is affected by a chronic condition or acute illness.”

The fire is burning just days after the fifth anniversary of a blaze that killed two people and destroyed much of the community of Lytton, about 45 kilometres north of Boston Bar.

The wildfire service says ground crews are prioritizing hotspots while local firefighters are supporting structure protection operations. Helicopter crews, including some with night vision capabilities, will continue to work around the clock as conditions allow.

“We saw very high fire behaviour and activity yesterday evening, and we saw significant growth on both our fires,” said fire information officer Julia Caranci in an interview Wednesday afternoon.

“We have a couple of challenging days ahead of us. We’re seeing those same sustained strong winds and clear skies today, so expecting to see more fire behaviour and growth likely in the next 24 to 48 hours.”

As of Wednesday, there were 20 active wildfires burning in B.C., including five that are listed as out of control.