UPDATE: North Bend wildfire grows to 100 hectares, evacuation orders issued

Update 6:30 p.m.: The Fraser Valley Regional District is now issuing an evacuation order for Electoral Area A north of North Bend, on Chaumox Road, as the Brunswick Creek wildfire grows to 100 hectares Saturday evening (July 4).

A state of local emergency has also been issued for Electoral Area A.

The evacuation order does not apply to CPKC rail staff, contractors and First Nations within the area, who manage their own emergency protocols.

Original story below:

NORTH BEND — Firefighters from Boston Bar, the Fraser Valley Regional District and BC Wildfire Service are still working to put out the Brunswick Creek wildfire north of North Bend.

In the latest update from BCWS, the fire has grown from six hectares on Thursday evening, July 2, to 14 hectares Friday afternoon.

Four properties in Electoral Area A on Chaumox Road remain under an evacuation alert.

The Chaumox Landfill will also be closed today, July 4, with reopening hours dependent on fire activity and the status of Chaumox Road. Traffic on the road is restricted to locals.

As of 11 a.m. Saturday, the incident involved work by local fire departments, as well as three initial attack crews, two unit crews, two response officers, three helicopters and heavy equipment from the BCWS.

Aviation support made “good progress” overnight at the head of the fire, but strong wind gusts may impact fire behaviour today.

There are no expected impacts to Highway 1.

More details will be added as they become available.