Two expanding wildfires in the Fraser Canyon have scorched a combined area exceeding 11,000 hectares as of Wednesday morning, July 8, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
Strong winds and parched conditions accelerated the blazes, prompting authorities to shut down Highway 1 in both directions near Boston Bar and upgrade emergency evacuation notices for nearby communities.
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Fire Details and Response
Data released by the BC Wildfire Service indicated that the Brunswick Creek fire has reached 2,594 hectares, while the jumping Ainslie Creek fire across the river has expanded to 8,816 hectares.
An incident management team is directing 160 firefighters, 58 structure protection personnel, and 12 helicopters to combat the complex.
"Hot, dry weather and windy conditions drove elevated fire behaviour and growth (on Tuesday)," said the BC Wildfire Service.
Officials noted that the initial Brunswick Creek blaze, discovered on July 2, generated three spot fires due to intense wind activity.
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"A wildfire produces burning embers called firebrands.
These firebrands are carried by the surface wind that fall beyond the main fire perimeter and result in spot fires," said the BC Wildfire Service.
As the flames spread on Tuesday night, July 7, the Fraser Valley Regional District upgraded its evacuation alert to a mandatory evacuation order for the Canyon Alpine area.
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Existing evacuation orders remain active for Boston Bar and North Bend, while the Boothroyd Indian Band also issued an evacuation order for its community located north of Boston Bar.
