An out-of-control wildfire near Boston Bar, British Columbia, has grown dramatically, expanding to more than 10 times its estimated size from the previous day.
The BC Wildfire Service said in its latest Sunday afternoon update that the Brunswick Creek fire has now reached more than 12 square kilometres, compared with an earlier estimate of about one square kilometre.
Brunswick Creek Fire Grows Quickly
The Brunswick Creek wildfire was first detected on July 2.
Officials believe the fire was likely caused by human activity.
The rapid growth has prompted emergency officials to request more support as crews work to control the fire in difficult conditions.
Evacuation Orders Issued
The latest update came after the Boothroyd Indian Band issued an evacuation order on Sunday morning.
That order followed an earlier evacuation order from the Fraser Valley Regional District, which told residents in the North Bend area to leave.
The evacuation orders mainly affect areas along the western side of the Fraser River near Boston Bar, which is located on the eastern side of the river.
Some areas on the eastern shore north of the community are also included.
Boston Bar Placed Under Evacuation Alert
Officials have also issued an evacuation alert for the community of Boston Bar itself.
The community has a population of just under 200 people.
An evacuation alert means residents should be ready to leave quickly if conditions worsen or an evacuation order is issued.
Fire Crews and Aircraft Deployed
BC Wildfire Service said several crews and aircraft are responding to the Brunswick Creek fire.
Resources currently assigned include:
- Three initial attack crews
- Two unit crews
- Two response officers
- Six helicopters for daytime operations
- Two groups of helicopters equipped with night vision
The agency has also requested an incident management team, additional firefighting resources and more aviation support.
Poor Visibility and Steep Terrain Create Challenges
BC Wildfire Service said aviation efforts may be limited because of poor visibility and steep terrain in the area.
The agency stressed that the safety of firefighters, pilots and the public remains the top priority.
These difficult conditions could affect how quickly crews are able to attack the fire from the air.
Forests Minister Says Support Is Ongoing
British Columbia Forests Minister Ravi Parmar said on social media that BC Wildfire Service continues to support the local fire department.
He said crews and equipment remain involved in the response, including helicopters fitted with night-vision technology.
Smoke Visible Across the Region
BC Wildfire Service said smoke from the fire has been highly visible in the surrounding area.
Smoke has reportedly been seen as far away as the Merritt area.
The visibility of smoke reflects the size and intensity of the fire as it continues to burn near Boston Bar.
Highway 1 Remains Open
According to DriveBC, Highway 1 remains open through the area.
The highway runs along the eastern side of the Fraser River.
However, two local roads on the eastern side of the river are closed in both directions because of the fire response and safety concerns.
High Winds Led to Stronger Fire Behaviour
BC Wildfire Service said it recommended the first evacuation order and expanded evacuation alerts after high winds developed in the afternoon.
Those winds caused more extreme fire behaviour, increasing the risk to nearby communities and making the response more difficult.
The Brunswick Creek wildfire near Boston Bar has expanded rapidly, growing from about one square kilometre to more than 12 square kilometres. Evacuation orders have been issued by the Boothroyd Indian Band and the Fraser Valley Regional District, while Boston Bar itself remains under an evacuation alert.
Fire crews, helicopters and response officers are working in the area, but poor visibility, steep terrain and high winds are making conditions challenging. Officials have requested more resources as the out-of-control fire continues to threaten areas near the Fraser River.