Buntzen Lake remains closed as Belcarra Park wildfire nears containment

A 1.5-hectare wildfire in Belcarra Regional Park is nearly contained, Metro Vancouver Regional District said Aug. 6, but crews remain on site to monitor conditions and extinguish hot spots.

The ground fire was discovered Aug. 5 beneath power lines behind Crystal Creek. Residents and visitors are being asked to avoid the area while firefighting continues.

BC Hydro has kept the Buntzen Lake recreation area closed until further notice because of the fire. The reservoir, north of Port Moody, will reopen only when authorities advise it is safe.

BC Wildfire Service lists the fire near Bedwell Bay Road and has identified a suspected human cause, while the regional district previously said the fire appeared near Sugar Mountain Trail. An evacuation notice remains in effect for 35 properties in Anmore; two properties were evacuated as a precaution on Wednesday.