Latest news with #FraserCanyon
CBC
2 days ago
- Climate
- CBC
Wildfire south of Lytton, B.C., leads to evacuation alert
A wildfire around 10 kilometres south of Lytton, B.C., has led to an evacuation alert for five properties in the Fraser Canyon on Monday night. The Cantilever Bar wildfire was discovered late Monday afternoon on the west side of the Fraser River, and it is visible from the Trans-Canada Highway. It grew quickly and covered an area of 150 hectares as of 10 p.m. PT on Monday, with the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) deploying three helicopters and three ground attack crews to the site. Around 9:30 p.m. PT, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) issued an evacuation alert for five properties along Spencer Road South. Residents have been told to be ready to leave at a moment's notice as the wildfire, which is suspected to have been caused by human activity, approaches. It was sparked on the same day a heat warning was issued for the Fraser Canyon, which includes Lytton, as Environment Canada says that maximum temperatures in the region are expected to hit between 35 C and 37 C between Tuesday and Thursday. The BCWS said in a provincial situation report that above seasonal temperatures will be seen throughout B.C. this week, with the hottest areas set to be in the southern third of the province. "In addition, there is a significant chance of dry lightning that could impact nearly all regions of the province throughout the week," the service says. "This combination of rising temperatures, fuel drying and dry lightning increases the probability of new wildfires starting."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Heat warnings in place as sweltering week predicted for much of B.C.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued heat warnings for much of the B.C. Interior, with forecasts calling for a ridge of high pressure that will bring elevated temperatures during the middle of the week. Warnings for the Okanagan Valley, Fraser Canyon, South Thompson, Boundary and West Kootenay say that maximum temperatures are expected to hit between 35 C and 37 C between Tuesday and Thursday. Meanwhile, the North Thompson, Cariboo, Prince George and Stuart-Nechako areas are expected to see temperatures between 29 C and 34 C, with overnight lows of around 14 C. Matt Loney, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, said that the heat will peak on Wednesday and Thursday for most areas. "We have a ridge of high pressure building in the upper atmosphere, and with a southerly flow that's going to feed in some warmer air from the south, from the United States," he told CBC News. "And so temperatures are going to build as we head into the midweek portion." Loney said that elevated temperatures would also be seen in Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island, but those areas will see temperatures 3 to 5 C above seasonal. In much of the Interior, however, the temperatures are forecast to be 5 to 8 C above historical norms. Loney advised anyone in areas under a heat warning to limit outdoor activities, keep hydrated and check on neighbours who may not be equipped to deal with the heat. "We can kind of see the end of this with the upper ridge that's going to break down Thursday night into Friday," the meteorologist said. "And so we'll see an influx of moisture, and potential for some thunderstorms, actually coming in with the end of this." Loney said that the long-range forecasts for the upcoming B.C. Day-long weekend were unclear, but it's likely to be cloudier as an upper trough will be parked over the province. The B.C. Wildfire Service said in a provincial situation report that above seasonal temperatures will be seen throughout B.C. this week, with the hottest areas set to be in the southern third of the province. "In addition, there is a significant chance of dry lightning that could impact nearly all regions of the province throughout the week," the service says. "This combination of rising temperatures, fuel drying and dry lightning increases the probability of new wildfires starting." However, the report says winds are expected to remain light throughout the province. Campfires remain banned in much of the South Coast, and larger Category 2 and Category 3 fires — which include larger stubble fires and large burn piles — are prohibited throughout B.C.
CTV News
19-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
New wildfire burning out of control near Highway 1 in Fraser Canyon
B.C. Wildfire Service crews are responding to a new wildfire burning in Alexandra Bridge Provincial Park in the Fraser Canyon region. (BCWS) Related: Full coverage of B.C.'s 2025 wildfire season B.C. Wildfire Service crews are responding to a new wildfire burning in Alexandra Bridge Provincial Park in the Fraser Canyon region. The blaze was detected Friday evening and was listed at 2.5 hectares in size as of the most recent BCWS update at 11:30 a.m. Saturday. 'This wildfire is visible from Highway 1 but is not currently a threat to structures or critical infrastructure,' the wildfire service said in its update. The BCWS said three crews and an officer worked on the fire overnight, and there were 22 firefighters working at the scene on Saturday. They were being supported by a helicopter and a water tender. The fire is suspected to be human-caused, according to the BCWS. A ban on all open burning – including campfires – took effect in the Coastal Fire Centre at noon on Friday. The Fraser Canyon area is one of the places where the fire ban applies.
CTV News
15-07-2025
- CTV News
Driver dead after head-on collision on Highway 1 in Fraser Canyon
This badly damaged red Nissan Qashqai, on Highway #1 north of Boston Bar, was involved in a head-on collision. The driver of a red Ford Explorer did not survive. (Image credit: BC Highway Patrol) Police are appealing for witnesses and information as they investigate a fatal head-on crash on Highway 1 in the Fraser Canyon. The B.C. Highway Patrol was called to the scene just north of Boston Bar around 4 p.m. Sunday, where a red Ford Explorer had crashed into a red Nissan Qashqai, according to a news release. A third vehicle, a black Nissan Pathfinder, was also damaged. 'A 62-year-old Lytton man, who was the driver and lone occupant of the red Ford Explorer, did not survive. A total of five people were involved in the collision, and everyone except the deceased driver appeared to have no injuries or minor injuries,' BCHP spokesperson Cpl. Michael McLaughlin wrote. Anyone who saw the vehicles involved in the lead-up to the crash and anyone with dash-cam video from the area at the time is urged to call 604-702-4039 and quote file number 2025-28918. Authorities also issued a plea to drivers to exercise caution on the roads, particularly on undivided highways. 'Keep your full attention on the road, stay sober, and keep your speed down. We want to avoid more of these tragedies,' McLaughlin wrote. According to media releases issued by police, at least six other people died in crashes this past weekend, including a three-year-old girl in Surrey and a 78-year-old woman in Vancouver. Fatalities were also reported by police in in North Vancouver, New Westminster, Penticton and Armstrong, where a hit-and-run claimed the lives of two people.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Temperatures expected to rise as crews battle fire north of Lytton, B.C.
B.C. Wildfire Service crews made good progress over the weekend fighting an out-of-control wildfire north of Lytton, B.C., along Highway 12. The Izman Creek wildfire was accidentally sparked on Canada Day by a passing RCMP trailer, and it has resulted in three properties close to the highway receiving evacuation orders and nine other properties being put on evacuation alert. Lytton, which is in the Fraser Canyon area, is about 170 kilometres southwest of Kamloops. Crews say they expect temperatures to rise over the next few days, and an incoming cold front could create windy conditions in the Fraser Canyon area. The blaze was estimated to be around 245 hectares as of Sunday, with fire information officer Sarah Hall saying that new size came after more accurate assessments were done over the weekend. "The [increase] of size is not due to increased fire behaviour and fire growth — more so due to accurate mapping of our fire perimeter," she told CBC News. Hall said crews were seeing smouldering fire conditions over the weekend, with lighter winds allowing them to fight the fire head-on with the aid of helicopters. "But we are anticipating a cold front to come in on Tuesday," she said. "So that is bringing higher wind speeds, approximately 50 to 60 kilometre [per hour] gusts." Highway 12 is only open to local traffic between Lytton and Lilloeet, which is about 64 kilometres northwest, as a result of the blaze. Hall is urging caution for anyone driving through the area, as firefighting personnel are going to be visible. "On the western flank, which is where Highway 12 is, crews are maintaining their presence in that area to monitor the highway overnight as well as during the day," she said. Meanwhile, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District lifted an evacuation alert on Friday that had been in effect for properties threatened by the Mount Scatchard wildfire, west of the town of Chase, B.C., about 60 kilometres northeast of Kamloops. An evacuation order from the Neskonlith Indian Band for about 40 properties was downgraded to an alert last week for the Mount Scatchard blaze.
