Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / PML / The Flood Falls Trail fire has now grown to 50 hectares, prompting an evacuation alert from the District of Hope and Fraser Valley Regional District.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Hope fire

Flood Falls Trail fire west of Hope grows to 50 hectares, prompts evacuation alert from Hope, FVRD

Sep 9, 2022 | 9:36 PM

FLOOD HOPE — The fire that broke out late Thursday night (Sept. 8) west of Hope has now grown to 50 hectares, prompting an evacuation alert Friday evening from the District of Hope and the Fraser Valley Regional District.

The blaze was initially 30 hectares Friday morning and was designated as out of control by provincial fire authorities has broken out in what’s called the Flood Falls Trail wildfire near exit 165 along Highway 1.

The evacuation alert (pictured below, yellow represents the evacuation alert area) stretches from the Laidlaw area in the west to as far east as the western boundary of Silver Creek, or approximately Exit 160 to Exit 168, on the south side of Highway 1.

Image: Screenshot / An evacuation alert has been issued for the area between Exit 160 and Exit 168 west of Hope.

According to the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS), the fire was human-caused.

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“Today due to hot, dry conditions and gusty winds, increased fire behavior was visible,” the BCWS posted on its website Friday night. “This fire is burning is very steep terrain presenting access challenges for ground crews. Helicopters are focusing on bucketing the North and East flanks of this fire. Crews will continue to action and monitor this fire overnight tonight, September 9.”

This fire is highly visible from the community of Hope and Highway 1, but is not impeding traffic at this time. There is currently no threat to critical infrastructure or homes. There is pipeline construction infrastructure in the vicinity which has not been impacted at this time.

Approximately 45 firefighters and five helicopters are being utilized to suppress the blaze.

The fire is located about eight kilometres west of Hope, according to a posting on social media Friday morning.

The fire is burning on an extremely steep slope at rank three, according to BCWS, meaning crews are experiencing a moderately vigorous surface fire with an organized flame front and occasional candling.

Several helicopters could be seen attacking the fire region from various angles and altitudes Friday morning.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

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Flood Falls Trail fire west of Hope grows to 50 hectares, prompts evacuation alert from Hope, FVRD

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