Wildfires close B.C. highways as smoke and heat blanket Vancouver

Several out-of-control wildfires in B.C.’s Fraser Canyon and Manning Park region have closed sections of major highways, with no reopening timeline announced. Evacuation orders and alerts are in place in affected areas, and some communities have declared local states of emergency.

The Brunswick Complex includes the Brunswick Creek, Ainslie Creek and Anderson Creek fires. As of July 22, the BC Wildfire Service listed the fires at 6,140 hectares, more than 18,000 hectares and 4,333 hectares respectively. The service said fire behaviour had increased significantly and could change rapidly, even with light winds.

Highway 1 is closed in both directions for 45.2 kilometres between Spuzzum Creek Road and Jackass Summit. Smoke from the 900-hectare Norwegian Creek wildfire has also closed part of Highway 3 through Manning Park; drivers are being asked to use Highway 5 as an alternate route.

The B.C. Wildfire Dashboard listed 85 active fires provincewide, including 14 that began in the previous 24 hours. Smoke has prompted an air-quality advisory for Metro Vancouver. IQAir reported Vancouver’s Air Quality Index at 76 at 9 a.m., the worst among Canadian cities it ranks.

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a yellow heat warning for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. The agency said daytime highs are expected in the low to mid-30s, with overnight lows in the mid to high teens.