More than six weeks after it was started, the Squamish Valley wildfire has officially been called out.
Known as the Shovelnose Creek fire, it began Saturday, May 13, and was officially declared out according to the BC Wildfire Service on Thursday, June 29, at about 5 p.m.
Sparked at about the 20-kilometre mark of the Squamish Valley Forest Service Road, the fire reached 38 hectares in size.
It is suspected to be human-caused.
Since the start of wildfire season in B.C., there have been 580 wildfires, 96 are currently active.
One of those fires is at Millar Creek, near Whistler. It was likely sparked by lightning on Tuesday, according to BC Wildfire Service, and is about 90 square metres in size.
If you see fire, report it
If you see a wildfire, abandoned campfire or dangerous activity that could cause a wildfire, call 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on a cell phone.
The call will be answered by an operator at the BC Wildfire Service.
Be ready to answer the following questions:
- Location: Where is the fire? How far up the hillside? Closest intersection?
- Size: Metres? Hectares? Size of a house? Size of a football field?
- Rate of spread: How quickly is the fire spreading?
- Fuel: What is burning? Grass, bushes, trees?
- Smoke/flames: What colour is the smoke? Are flames visible?
- Threat: Are there any people or buildings at risk?
- Action: Is anyone fighting the fire?
- Campfires: If reporting a campfire, can you tell if it is wood burning or is it a propane campfire?
What about campfires?
Within the Coastal Fire Centre, campfires are allowed, but keep in mind that within the District of Squamish boundaries, a permit must be obtained to have a campfire on private property (apply for a permit). Campfires are not allowed in any public space in Squamish, including on riverbanks, mountainsides or beaches.
The local government rules on this supersede the Coastal Fire Centre's jurisdiction, in other words.
There is a ban throughout the region on larger fires — Category 2 and Category 3 — which has been in place since May.
This means, in addition to larger open fires, folks can not have fireworks, use sky lanterns or burn barrels.
