Two wildfires near Harrison contribute to poor Metro Vancouver air quality

A haze has set in around Metro Vancouver as two wildfires burn out of control near Harrison Lake.

Smoke from the Statiu Creek and Chehalis River fires are contributing to poorer air quality around the Lower Mainland, where an advisory was issued Wednesday due to elevated concentrations of fine particulate matter and ground-level ozone.

Statiu Creek wildfire

In an update Wednesday afternoon, the BC Wildfire Service said the focus for the time being was on Statiu Creek, which was an estimated 74 hectares.

The fire is located about 18 kilometres northwest of Harrison Hot Springs and was first reported Sunday.

“Fifty-eight firefighters, one heavy-equipment task force, and three helicopters are actioning this fire. This fire is currently the highest priority in the Fraser zone due to proximity to the community,” Fire Information Officer Kimberly Kelly explained. “The fire is well-resourced. BC Wildfire Service crews and equipment are actively responding, with full suppression as the goal.”

She says while crews are “meeting all workable objectives,” there are some challenges, including terrain and weather. That, she adds, is contributing to “active fire behaviour,” though little growth has been recorded.

“No evacuation alerts or orders are in place at this time,” Kelly said.

Chehalis River wildfire

The Chehalis River fire, which is an estimated 500 hectares and is located east of the Chehalis River and north of Chehalis Lake, was also discovered over the weekend.

“Crews were pulled back from this fire due to very aggressive fire behaviour,” Kelly said. “Our resources are reassessing to action this fire using indirect tactics.”

Smoke is creating challenges for aircraft “at times,” Kelly says, adding the blaze is currently growing in the direction “away from the community.”

Again, no evacuation orders or alerts have been issued related to this fire.

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Kelly says the fire danger rating around the Coastal Fire Centre is currently listed as moderate to high amid hot and dry conditions.

“We are seeing forest fuels drying and they will continue to dry until we see a significant period of rainfall. That is not in the upcoming forecast,” she warned.

A campfire prohibition is in place around the Coastal Fire Centre, while an open fire ban is in place for much of B.C.