—Update: 8:50 p.m. June 9—
Squamish's third wildfire of the season is at five hectares this evening, and remains out of control.
The blaze is just east of Highway 99 between Dowad Drive and Depot Road.
According to the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), its crews are assisting the Squamish fire department with this wildfire, which is known as fire V30558 on the BC Wildfire Service map.
An attack crew is a three or four person team, which is typically the first to respond to a wildfire.
They can respond quickly using vehicles and aircraft and are strategically placed for the most impact, according to the BCWS.
"These crews are regularly placed on 'standby,' which means that they are ready to be deployed quickly after a new wildfire starts," the BCWS explains on its website.
A unit crew is a 20-person team deployed to conduct sustained fire fighting.
There are also two helicopters and one air tanker responding to this wildfire.
Squamish Fire Rescue posted to their social media that water-bucketing is underway.
The public is asked to keep their distance and drivers are warned against stopping along the highway to view the fire.
Already this season there has been two other wildfires.
The first wildfire of this season was discovered on April 27 in the Brohm Ridge area and was believed to be human-caused.
At its peak, it reached 4.6 hectares in size.
It was declared out on April 30.
The second fire of the season was on the Mamquam River Forest Service Road. At its peak, it reached four hectares.
It lasted from May 4 to 8, before being called out.
Both of these fires were also believed to be human caused.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.
—Original story—
Squamish Fire Rescue firefighters are working to put out a wildfire located just east of Highway 99 between Dowad Drive and Depot Road in the north of Squamish.
BC Wildfire Service has been contacted to assist, according to District of Squamish spokesperson Rachel Boguski.
The fire was sparked just before 4:30 p.m., June 9.
"We are asking motorists to avoid stopping on the highway to view the fire, as this poses other significant risks," Boguski said.
According to the BC Wildfire Service map, the fire is less than a hectare in size, but out of control.
This means that it is spreading or is anticipated to spread beyond the current perimeter, or control line.
This fire is suspected to be human caused.
Currently, there are 85 active wildfires burning in B.C.; 12 started in the last 24 hours.
Since wildfire season began on April 1, there have been 336 fires reported across B.C., burning nearly 490,000 hectares so far.
Of the fires to date, 88 (26%) were caused by lightning; 236 (70%) were human caused, and 12 have unknown causes.
More to come...
*Please note that this story is being updated as the situation changes.
