Out-of-control wildfire burns in Belcarra Regional Park

Emergency crews are responding to an out-of-control ground fire beneath power lines behind Crystal Creek in Belcarra Regional Park, the Village of Anmore says. Residents have been asked to avoid the area and give crews room to work.

The BC Wildfire Service said the fire was discovered Aug. 5 and measured 0.8 hectares. The Coastal Wildfire Centre lists the location on Bedwell Bay Road and says the suspected cause is human activity.

Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department, Sasamat Fire, Port Moody Fire and the BC Wildfire Service are on scene, according to the village. Metro Vancouver Regional District said the fire appears to be near Sugar Mountain Trail and that three wildfire-service helicopters were dropping water while regional emergency, parks and watershed-protection staff assisted.

The wildfire service said the blaze is about 2.5 kilometres west of Port Moody and is visible from communities across the Lower Mainland. Its Aug. 5 provincial report warned that hot, dry conditions could increase fire activity and allow smoke to linger in southern B.C.