Squamish, B.C., reports progress in fire fight, as northeast hopes for rain

CBC

15 hours ago

There's optimism from firefighters and local authorities as crews battle wildfires in opposite corners of British Columbia heading into the weekend.
The District of Squamish is reporting minimal overnight growth in the Dryden Creek fire that triggered a local state of emergency this week, while the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) expects rain to help suppress the Pocket Knife Creek wildfire in the northeast.
That fire is the biggest in the province at more than 1,500 square kilometres, and the wildfire service says it has grown significantly since merging with another fire on Sunday.
BCWS officer Julia Caranci says in a Thursday video update on social media that anticipated rain could help suppression efforts this weekend.
She says she's hopeful the rain will help, although the fire has a large perimeter and it's unclear how much the rain will affect fire behaviour.
A situational report posted to the service website on Friday said rain was forecasted for most of northern B.C. this weekend before easing Sunday and it warns of the possibility of slides caused by sudden rainfall on eroded areas.
The report noted a warming trend was expected to return to the province on Sunday, which could then stretch into next week and increase fire behaviour.
The fire looming over Squamish, about 50 kilometres north of Vancouver, has grown to nearly 60 hectares, with the district reporting that crews made "strong progress" on the southwestern flanks, while air crews focused on bucketing the northern edge.
The district says in a post on social media late Thursday that the fire spread on the northern side from "steep, inoperable terrain into more accessible areas, allowing crews to engage more directly in suppression efforts."
The Squamish fire is among 100 wildfires actively burning across the province.