The Fraser Valley Regional District has issued a new evacuation order for the Canyon Alpine area near Boston Bar, upgrading a previous alert as two out-of-control wildfires continue to grow. Residents must leave immediately, officials said in an update Tuesday night.
Wildfire Sizes and Causes
The Brunswick Creek wildfire, which ignited on July 2, has expanded to more than 25 square kilometres in the Fraser Canyon. The Ainslie Creek wildfire, which started on July 4, is even larger at over 88 square kilometres, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service as of Wednesday. Both fires are believed to have been caused by human activity.
Evacuation Orders and Air Quality
There are now five evacuation orders in total in the area, issued by the Fraser Valley Regional District, Boothroyd Indian Band, and the Boston Bar Indian Band. The wildfires also prompted a yellow air quality warning from Metro Vancouver for Chilliwack, Agassiz, and Hope on Monday afternoon, which was lifted at noon on Tuesday.
Officials stated that the new order is a direct result of the wildfire danger posed by both the Brunswick Creek and Ainslie Creek fires. More updates are expected as the situation develops.
