UPDATE 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24
BC Wildfire Service has reported that as of 8 p.m. on Sunday, Aug, 24 the Sailor Bar wildfire near Yale had grown to 120 hectares, based on current estimates.
In addition to the evacuation alert issued by the Fraser Valley Regional District on Sunday afternoon, Spuzzum First Nation has issued evacuation alerts for several of its reserves. These are:
– IR #1 Spuzzum
– IR# 1A Spuzzum
– IR# 9 Saddle Rock
– IR# 2 Papsilqua
– IR# 2B Papsilqua
– IR# 2A Papsilqua
– IR# 6 Skuet
Residents in these areas must be ready to leave on short notice.
BC Wildfire said that as of Sunday evening, one initial attack crew and two contract crews were responding to the fire. Four helicopters were also responding, and aviation resources would be scanning for hot spots using night vision technology and continuing tanking missions to cool areas where heat is detected.
Aviation resources made good progress on Sunday slowing the fire's rate of spread. No significant growth was reported on the north flank (towards Spuzzum) or the south flank (towards Yale). The east side of the fire showed some growth during Sunday, upslope in steep terrain.
A fire observer will be positioned on Highway 1, across the river from the fire.
Highway 1 remains open and is not affected, but travellers should be mindful of the fact that crews and aircraft are working in the area. Drivers should proceed with caution and stay focused on the road; don’t stop the flow of traffic.
UPDATE 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24
The Fraser Valley Regional District has issued an evacuation alert for an area extending from south of Yale to Spuzzum in the Fraser Canyon, on both sides of Highway 1, and the Metro Vancouver Regional District has issued an Air Quality Warning, in response to the Sailor Bar wildfire.
The fire is burning above the CN Rail mainline on the east side of the Fraser River, on the opposite side to Highway 1. The highway remains open to travellers, but drivers are advised that heavy smoke is highly visible from the highway. To check on highway closures, go to www.drivebc.ca.
Metro Vancouver Regional District issued the Air Quality Warning for the Eastern Fraser Valley due to elevated levels of fine particulate matter (small particles in the air that may impact health) in the smoke from the Sailor Bar wildfire.
The fine particulate matter warning is expected to last through Monday (Aug. 25) or until smoke conditions improve. It will remain in effect until further notice.
The fire is burning at Rank 2 fire intensity, which indicates a surface fire with visible, open flame and a slow rate of spread with an unorganized or inconsistent flame front. As of Sunday afternoon it was still estimated at 50 hectares.
CN Rail has been contacted and the tracks are closed. No other infrastructure is immediately threatened.
ORIGINAL STORY
Crews responded overnight to a new wildfire in the Fraser Canyon using a helicopter equipped with night vision.
The Sailor Bar wildfire (V11606) was discovered on Saturday, Aug. 23, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service, and was initially reported as being between two and three hectares in size. It is seven kilometres north of Yale, and east of Highway 1, near the CN Rail line.
The wildfire was reported to be 50 hectares as of Sunday morning (Aug. 24). At that time, the fire was listed as out of control, and thought to be human-caused.
"The fire is highly visible from Highway 1 and in extremely steep terrain," BCWS stated in its description of the fire.
They explain that "the fire was worked overnight with a night-vision helicopter and crews are on scene. Multiple aviation and ground resources are en route."
They included a video explaining how crews use night vision.
With files from Barbara Roden.
