Homes, seasonal cabins damaged by fires near Boston Bar: regional district

The Fraser vale Regional territory has confirmed 7 buildings, including quaternary homes or seasonal cabins, feature been destroyed by wildfire burning near Boston Bar, B.C.

The number of active wildfires in British Columbia exploded over the last 24 hours after lightning overnight in Metro Vancouver and B.C.'s southern Interior and this morning on Vancouver Island and in the Kootenay region.

Sixty-two active wildfires are burning across the province, with 43 of those started in the last 24 hours as of 1:30 p.m. PT Friday, according to the wildfire service's online dashboard. A total of 38 are suspected to have been caused by lightning.

B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) officials said Friday that warming and drying conditions are expected to persist this week.

Dry conditions, lightning, little rain can worsen wildfires in next 2 days: BCWS

Patricia Ross, chair of the board of directors for the district, said the structure losses in the Boston Bar area were identified by rapid damage assessments, and more may be confirmed once it's safe to investigate further.

Ross said it had looked like fire crews were starting to get a handle on the two fires that make up the Brunswick complex last weekend, but winds picked up again earlier this week, howling through the Fraser Canyon and fanning the flames.

Two wildfires of note — the Brunswick Creek and Ainslie Creek wildfires which make up the Brunswick wildfire complex near Boston Bar, B.C. — are still listed as out of control.

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The wildfires have resulted in a number of evacuation orders around the community.

A speed reduction is in place on Highway 1 near Boston Bar due to the Brunswick Creek complex.

Near Pemberton, the Signal Hill wildfire grew to 0.97 square kilometres (97 hectares). The wildfire has caused evacuation alerts for parts of the Village of Pemberton and the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District. An evacuation order is also in effect for One Mile Lake Park to give crews safe working space.

"It's a little surreal at times, when you see the fire right next to the village," Richman said. "But our community is used to a level of hardship and comes together well whenever needed."

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He encouraged residents to put fuel in their vehicles, and ensure they have a grab-and-go bag and a plan to evacuate, if necessary.

"We've been encouraging community members to look in on each other, especially if you know somebody that might be vulnerable or has accessibility challenges," Richman said.

He said the evacuation alerts are to ensure residents are prepared to leave if conditions change.

DriveBC notes there is limited visibility on Highway 99 from around Pemberton to Duffey Lake and between Pemberton and Whistler Village.

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