Buntzen Lake remains closed as crews contain 1.5-hectare wildfire near Port Moody
Recreation area closes as crews battle ground fire near Port Moody; evacuation notice affects 35 Anmore homes.
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A ground fire discovered Wednesday, August 5 under power lines behind Crystal Creek in Belcarra Regional Park has forced the closure of one of Metro Vancouver's busiest recreation areas. BC Hydro announced Thursday, August 6 that Buntzen Lake, a 182-hectare reservoir about 30 km northeast of Vancouver, will stay closed until the fire is deemed safe.
Metro Vancouver Regional District said the 1.5-hectare blaze is nearly contained, with crews on site monitoring conditions and extinguishing hotspots. The suspected cause is human-related, according to BC Wildfire Service. The fire is located near Sugar Mountain Trail on Bedwell Bay Road.
An evacuation notice remains in place for 35 properties in the Village of Anmore, with two already evacuated as a precaution. Emergency management staff, regional parks staff, watershed protection firefighting crews, and three BC Wildfire Service helicopters have been on scene. Metro Vancouver Regional District thanked responding agencies for their "swift, coordinated response" and said it has been in close contact with Anmore officials throughout the incident.
BC Wildfire Service reported 112 wildfires burning across the province as of August 6, with 10 started in the last 24 hours. A provincial situation report warned of potential for increased fire activity as hot and dry conditions return, though winds are forecast to remain light across most of the province.
At a glance
Where is the wildfire near Port Moody?
The 1.5-hectare fire is located near Sugar Mountain Trail on Bedwell Bay Road in Belcarra Regional Park, behind Crystal Creek.
When will Buntzen Lake reopen?
Buntzen Lake will remain closed until BC Hydro deems the fire safe; no reopening date has been announced.
How many homes are affected by the evacuation notice?
An evacuation notice affects 35 properties in the Village of Anmore, with 2 already evacuated as a precaution.
