Everywhere you went in Squamish Monday, people were talking about the smoke.
Many parents kept children indoors, leaving local parks more quiet than usual. At a fast food drive-through window downtown, a young worker had her face and nose covered with her sleeve as she handed back change to customers who were quick to roll car windows back up.
The campfire-smelling smoke was due to a forest fire burning 67 kilometres west of Pemberton.
The Elaho forest fire started Sunday morning and, according to Marg Drysdale of the Coastal Fire Centre, it was human-caused, though the exact cause of the fire is under investigation, she said.
Due to the smoke, the air quality in Squamish on Monday reached a 9 on the air quality index by early afternoon.
A 9 means people should have reduced or rescheduled strenuous activities outdoors, especially if they were experiencing symptoms such coughing and throat irritation, according to BC Air Quality. Children and the elderly were to avoid strenuous activities outdoors.
The smoke throughout Squamish was funneled down the Elaho and Squamish valleys due to inversion, Drysdale said.
The smoke had started to dissipate later in the day, bringing the air quality index to a 4 by late afternoon, meaning there was no need for the average person to modify outdoor activities.
Air quality continued to hover around a 3 all day Tuesday.
The fire had spread to 650 hectares by Wednesday morning, flaming out from an estimated 15 hectares Monday morning.
On Wednesday 70 firefighters were fighting the fire, according to Drysdale. An incident management team was being sent in to help control the blaze, she said. She added that the fire was exhibiting extreme fire behaviour due to dry conditions, and visibility in the area remained limited due to the smoke.
Drysdale said smoke may again drift in and out of Squamish in the coming days.
Squamish Mayor Patricia Heintzman said that the fire was a reminder to be mindful in the backcountry, especially in the summer months.
“We love having visitors here, but you have to be respectful of our environment, of our air quality, of our forests, and be responsible in the woods,” she said, adding the fact there is a wildfire of this size this early in the fire season is concerning.
“It is June, usually we don’t have these types of issues until July and August,” she said. “Use the water wisely and be smart out there.”
Stage 1 water restrictions are currently in effect. Check the District of Squamish website for more information.
According to the Coastal Fire Service, campfires are currently the only form of fire allowed in and around the district and must be no larger than half a metre wide by half a metre high.
Heintzman said in 2003, the backcountry had to be closed because of risk of fire. To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.
