—UPDATE: June 22, 3:45 p.m.—
The BC Wildfire Service is asking the public to respect current trail closures as they continue to work within the Dryden Creek wildfire zone.
"For the safety of our responders, we are asking the public to respect trail closures implemented as a result of the Dryden Creek wildfire,' reads the BC Wildfire Service post.
"Natural Resource Officers will be patrolling the area for public safety and to prevent interference with firefighting operations. Please visit the Recreation Sites and Trails BC Current Closures website for the most up-to-date information on trail closures."
Currently, Trails BC has the trails Rigs In Zen, which is off the top of Debeck's Hill, and Wonderland, near Alice Lake Provincial Park listed as closed.
The fire continues to be listed as out of control.
The blaze began on June 9 and is believed to have been human caused.
—Original story, June 19—
Though no longer a direct threat to the community, the Dryden Creek wildfire will be with us for some weeks to come as fire personnel work to get it completely out and deal with its aftermath.
As of June 19, it is still classified by the BC Wildfire Service as under control, but not yet out.
"At this stage, suppression efforts have ensured the wildfire will not spread beyond the current perimeter. BC Wildfire Service may continue to patrol the fire and extinguish hot spots while moving gear, equipment and personnel to another incident," reads the BCWS website.
According to a District of Squamish update, the current focus is along the southeast and southwest flanks of the fire.
Smouldering and spot fires may continue to be visible within the 59.5 hectare area of the fire.
Squamish Fire Rescue will continue to respond to any incidents within the District of Squamish boundaries, the District said in a release.
The evacuation order for two properties and an evacuation alert for approximately 11 properties remain in place due to hazards adjacent to the wildfire zone.
"Assessment work is underway to understand the potential risk of rockfall and danger trees," reads the news release.
Alice Lake Provincial Park access & restrictions
Alice Lake Provincial Park is open with the following restrictions:
- The South Beach remains closed to vehicles. Hikers/bikers may pass through, however, please follow signage and watch for machinery and fire crews operating in the area.
- Trails west of Jack’s Trail towards Debeck's Hill remain closed.
- Stump Lake may be used for helicopter bucketing, please stay close to shore.
- Drones are prohibited—unauthorized use poses a serious hazard to aviation staff and interferes with wildfire response.
The State of Local Emergency remains in place as does the District of Squamish and Squamish Nation campfire bans.
Prevention and preparation
In case of another emergency like a wildfire, sign up for direct alerts from the District at Squamish.ca/Alert.
On the BCWS fire weather danger rating, Squamish is currently at a 3, or moderate danger—out of 5—and will be so again tomorrow, June 20.
This means that "forest fuels are drying and there is an increased risk of surface fires starting. Carry out any forest activities with caution."
When a home, or better yet, a neighbourhood is FireSmart, it means that in the event of a wildfire reduces the impact of that fire and allows firefighters to concentrate on fighting the fire not mitigating where it is headed.
FireSmarting means using scientifically proven principles to a property to improve the odds the home or structure will survive a wildfire.
If you are not sure your home and property are FireSmart:
- Book a wildfire mitigation assessment. The assessment will take about 2 hours
- Take the free FireSmart 101 online course
