Erratic winds, threat of lightning make Boston Bar firefighting efforts challenging, wildfire service says

Erratic winds, threat of lightning make Boston Bar firefighting efforts challenging, wildfire service says

Evacuee describes 'trees looking like Q-Tips doused in gasoline just going up in flames'

Hot, windy weather and the threat of dry lightning have made firefighting efforts near Boston Bar in B.C.'s Fraser Canyon more dangerous, the wildfire service says.

B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) information officer Julia Carinci said challenging weather conditions are increasing the risk to those working on both the Brunswick Creek and Ainslie Creek wildfires. known together as the Brunswick complex.

"Right now, for the safety of our crews, we are going to switch our tactics for the next 24 to 48 hours and focus primarily on structure defence and protection," said Carinci. "So, moving away from the flanks of the fires that are active for the safety of our crews."

Environment Canada's website shows Boston Bar sitting at 38 C on Thursday afternoon, with a chance of lightning in the evening. An air quality warning has been issued for the area as a result of thick smoke.

An evacuation order was issued Thursday morning for the Boston Bar townsite after fires in the area grew more aggressive overnight.

The addresses of the 195 properties included in the latest evacuation order can be found here.

Previous evacuation orders for the nearby North Bend/Chaumox and Canyon Alpine areas remain in place.

Highway 1 between Boston Bar and Lytton is closed, except to local traffic, because of area wildfires, according to DriveBC.

Fernando Valanta, who was staying at a friend's house in Boston Bar, said the fire near town exploded in size over night.

"What we saw last night was an entire mountain disappearing in front of our eyes in minutes, trees looking like Q-Tips doused in gasoline just going up in flames," he said.

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Valanta left when the evacuation order was issued, ending up at the evacuee reception centre in Chilliwack.

"As we were heading toward Hell's Gate, we could see the end of it. It was scary," he said. "The last couple of days, the way things have been unfolding, everyone was on edge. Everyone is concerned for their house."

An area motel owner told CBC News the smoke is so thick around Boston Bar that, at times, it's impossible to breathe.

Gurvinder Badyal said her Canyon Alpine Motel, which is outside the evacuation zones, is hosting 35 firefighters.

"We have sprinklers on our property and on the adjacent property," she said. "It's scary and safe at the same time. The [Ainslie Creek] fire has moved to the other side of the mountain from us. So we're feeling safer."

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The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) said Thursday morning that the Brunswick complex, made up of the Brunswick Creek and Ainslie Creek fires, is expected to be unstable through the day. Dry lightning and little rain are in the forecast, the service says.

Evacuees are advised to head south via Highway 1, or to follow the directions of first responders.

Evacuees needing support are being directed to Shxwhá:y Village, 44680 Schweyey Road in Chilliwack.

There are currently 35 wildfires burning in the province, 18 of which started in the last 24 hours, according to BCWS. Thirteen of those active fires were caused by lightning, while 16 are suspected to be human-caused, BCWS says. The cause of the remaining six fires is undetermined.

Karin Larsen is a former Olympian and award-winning sports broadcaster who covers news and sports for CBC Vancouver.

With files from Tara Carman, Troy Charles, Ruby Cornish