UPDATE (11 a.m.) – Seven buildings have been destroyed by the Ainslie Creek wildfire, according to the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD).
In a statement, the FVRD said four buildings were either residential structures or seasonal cabins, while the other three were accessory structures or structures supporting commercial uses.
The regional district conducted rapid damage assessments on buildings confirmed to be damaged or destroyed by the fires. The FVRD said further damages may be reported as safe access for responders is established.
“The Fraser Valley Regional District’s priority is to first share information with affected property owners about specific instances of structure damage. Public reporting will follow when it is appropriate to do so,” the statement reads.
ORIGINAL STORY
Eight evacuation orders are in place due to the Brunswick Complex wildfires in the Fraser Canyon, but the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) said some residents have chosen to stay behind or return to the areas after evacuating.
In a video update on Sunday (July 19), FVRD communications manager Samantha Piper said the regional district “continues to be aware” that some residents have not evacuated or have returned to evacuation order areas.
“You are violating the law. This action leaves you at risk. You are required to leave the area and adhere to the evacuation order,” Piper said in the video. “With the rapidly changing weather and wildfire behaviour, it significantly increases the risk of not knowing before it is too late to leave the area.”
The regional district said security personnel are patrolling evacuated areas 24-hours a day. The security coordinates with the RCMP to monitor for suspicious activity.
FVRD evacuation orders are in place for 450 total properties. The areas impacted include Boston Bar, Nahatlatch and North Boothroyd, North Bend and Canyon Alpine, and Fishblue Lake. Boston Bar First Nation and Boothroyd Indian Band have also issued evacuation orders.
Checkpoints are in place to manage entry into areas under an evacuation order, according to the FVRD.
According to the latest update from BC Wildfire Service on Sunday night (July 19), the Brunswick Complex wildfires in the Fraser Canyon remain out of control but experienced lower fire behaviour over the weekend. The Ainslie Creek fire is listed at 16,575 hectares and the Brunswick Creek blaze at 4,083 hectares.
BCWS said cooler, more humid weather this past weekend moderated fire behaviour at Brunswick Creek and behaviour remained low through the weekend at Ainslie Creek.
In the coming days, wind from the north is forecast alongside warmer, drier weather. BCWS says the combination has the potential to increase fire behaviour.
“A northerly wind could challenge containment lines on the southern edges of both the Brunswick Creek and Ainslie Creek wildfires. Crews have used the current reprieve to strengthen and secure these lines ahead of the forecast change,” the update reads.
The winds are also expected to push smoke into the area from fires in the Cariboo Fire Centre,
“While smoke may keep temperatures slightly cooler, it will reduce visibility for motorists along Highway 1 and for aircraft supporting response operations,” BCWS said.
At the south end of the Brunswick Creek fire on Sunday, crews conducted an ignition operation that BCWS called a “critical step” in securing the east flank across from Boston Bar. BCWS expects it will reduce the risk of the fire growing to the south or spotting across the Fraser River.
“Tomorrow, crews will continue mop-up in this area, patrolling for hotspots and extinguishing lingering heat. Smoke will remain visible along the south flank as the fire continues to consume fuels within the perimeter,” BCWS said.
At the Ainslie Creek blaze, BCWS said the more active areas are burning at high elevations, where conditions are wetter.
“While this has limited fire activity, it has also produced a very patchy burn pattern. Combined with steep terrain and dense forest, these patchy areas make suppression efforts more challenging and labour-intensive,” the update reads.
The Brunswick Creek fire was discovered on July 2 and created three “spot fires” in the following days during a period of extreme fire activity and strong winds, including the Ainslie Creek blaze .
The 24-hour response from BCWS for the Brunswick Complex includes ground crews, structure protection personnel and night-vision equipped helicopters.
Priorities for crews include protecting communities, critical infrastructure, Highway 1, and cultural values, as well as safety of responders and the public.