Highway 1 closed as out-of-control Fraser Canyon wildfire forces evacuations
The Brunswick Creek fire has grown to 2,594 hectares; nearby Ainslie Creek fire exceeds 8,800 hectares.
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A section of Highway 1 in the Fraser Canyon has been closed due to an out-of-control wildfire, with no timeline for reopening.
The Brunswick Creek wildfire, currently listed at 2,594 hectares and classified as "out of control," has prompted five evacuation orders and two evacuation alerts across the region. Highway 1 is closed for 10.5 kilometres between Boston Bar Station Road and Ainslie Road North.
The BC Wildfire Service reports that hot, dry weather and windy conditions drove elevated fire behaviour and growth on July 8. Wind and elevated fire behaviour are anticipated to continue into the evening, though cooler temperatures will briefly return by the end of the week. No appreciable rain is expected in the short-term forecast.
According to the B.C. Wildfire Dashboard, 160 firefighting personnel are battling the Brunswick fire with support from 23 pieces of heavy equipment, 58 structure protection personnel, and 12 helicopters. Two helicopter groups are equipped with night vision technology. Multiple local fire departments are supporting structure protection operations, with structure protection in place for identified properties.
A related fire — the Ainslie Creek wildfire — has grown to 8,816 hectares. Both fires are believed to have been caused by humans. The smoke from these fires has also drifted into Metro Vancouver and the B.C. Interior, affecting air quality across the region.
