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Updated: 'Use caution when using open fire of any kind': Squamish Valley fire remains out of control Sunday night

The fire is burning in rugged terrain and is currently out of control. Firefighters are on the scene, supported by two helicopters, while no immediate threat to infrastructure or homes has been reported.

Editor's note: Get the latest update here. 

**Update May 14, 9:25 p.m.

The Squamish Valley fire is at 17 hectares and is still out of control. 

The Shovelnose Creek blaze is 20 kilometres along the  Squamish River Forest Service Road, which is northwest of Squamish. 

The resources have not changed from earlier – 16 BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) firefighters, according to Julia Caranci, fire information officer with the Coastal Fire Centre. 

No homes or critical infrastructure are currently at risk. 

The fire is suspected to be human caused. 

“We understand that the public use forest service roads for recreation purposes. However, we want to remind the public to avoid areas where there are active wildfires – both for their own safety and the safety of responders,” Caranci said. 

“While there are currently no burning prohibitions in place on Crown land within the Coastal Fire Centre, residents must use caution when using open fire of any kind. Spring wildfires are mainly human-caused, and are therefore preventable.

We ask the public to check with local government authorities to ensure they are following local bylaws before lighting any fire within a local government jurisdiction.”

The next update will be Monday morning. 


**Updated May 14* at 1: 40 p.m. **

The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) continues to respond to the Shovelnose Creek Fire.

This fire currently remains at about 15 hectares in size, and its status is still out of control, according to the BCWS.

Today (May 14), 16 firefighters and two helicopters are working the blaze. 

No critical infrastructure or homes are currently at risk. 

Forest Service Roads in this area are popular for recreating. 

"We ask the public to use caution If travelling through areas where active wildfires may be burning. And note that you may see BCWS staff and vehicles," said Julia Caranci, fire information officer with the Coastal Fire Centre. 

The Squamish Chief will continue to update this story as the situation developers. 

 

**Updated May 14 at 8:30 a.m.** 

The Shovelnose Creek fire, as BC Wildfire Service calls it, has grown to 15 hectares. 

There are currently 53 active wildfires burning in B.C., including this one. 

—Original story—

Crews are currently fighting a wildfire in the Squamish Valley. 

The fire was reported May 13 at 3:30 p.m., according to Julia Caranci, fire information officer with the Coastal Fire Centre.

The blaze is 20 kilometres down the  Squamish River Forest Service Road, which is northwest of Squamish. 

The fire is approximately eight hectares in size, according to the BC Wildfire Service. 

It is “burning in steep and very rugged terrain that is difficult to access,” Caranci said. 

Its status is currently out of control, which means the wildfire is continuing to spread and is not responding to efforts to put it out. 

Eight firefighters are on site and working to put out the fire in areas that are accessible.

A helicopter is assisting with bucketing.

No critical infrastructure or homes are currently at risk, according to Caranci. 

This fire is suspected to be human caused. 

 

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