A few small wildfires that were sparked on Friday are burning near Squamish this morning.
One is on Round Mountain, in Garibaldi Provincial Park. It's size is listed as 0.0 hectares in size so far.
The BC Wildfire Service Map labels it as “out of control,” meaning “a wildfire that is spreading or is anticipated to spread beyond the current perimeter, or control line.”
The cause of this fire is under investigation.
Wildfire two sparked on Friday, is at Culliton Creek, approximately 20 kilometres north of Squamish, and is listed as 0.009 hectares and out of control.
The suspected cause of this fire is lightning. There was a thunderstorm locally on Friday, late afternoon and evening.
A third wildfire was sparked by lightning Friday night, nearby at Corrigan Creek, which is also at 0.009 hectares; it too is out of control.
A fourth wildfire that started on Friday evening is the Klinker Ridge fire. It is also out of control and identified as 0.009 hectares in size.
A fifth wildfire at Starvation Lake, which was also discovered on Friday and started by lightning, is being held at 0.1 hectares.
Being held means it is “projected, based on fuel and weather conditions and resource availability, to remain within the current perimeter, control line or boundary.”
The Pemberton area has seen numerous fires start, with approximately 21 fires reported within a 24-hour period, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
Education campaign in the Squamish Valley
Due to the hot, dry conditions, BC Wildfire Service, Squamish Nation Land Guardians and other stakeholder agencies have been out over the long weekends this summer, at the entrance to the Upper Squamish Valley, warning recreators of the conditions and the campfire ban.
They were there last night and out again today, Aug. 30.
The fire danger rating in and around Squamish on Saturday is 4, out of five, or high.
According to BC Wildfire Service definitions, high means “forest fuels are very dry and the fire risk is serious. New fires may start easily, burn vigorously, and challenge fire suppression efforts. Extreme caution must be used in any forest activities. Open burning and industrial activities may be restricted.”
For today, Environment Canada says we can expect it to be mainly sunny. The wind will blow from the south at 20 km/h early this afternoon, except gusting to 40 near the water this afternoon. We will see a high of 27 C, except 21 C near the water.
In total, in B.C., there are currently 128 active wildfires. Of those, 54 started in the last 24 hours.
Since the start of the wildfire season on April 1, there have been 1,042 wildfires in the province, which have burned 735,410 hectares of land.
Of the total number of wildfires, 52% were caused by lightning, 45% by human activity, and 3% have an undetermined cause.
Report wildfires by calling: 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on a cell.
