Image: Supplied by B.C. Wildfire Service / The fire west of Hope has now doubled in size from 30 hectares yesterday to 65 hectares as of Saturday, Sept. 10 at 12:14 p.m.
Hope fire

Fire west of Hope doubles in size to 65 hectares in one day; air quality advisory issued for entire Lower Mainland; 43 firefighters battling

Sep 10, 2022 | 12:35 PM

HOPE  — As smoky skies blanket all of Chilliwack today and create unhealthy breathing conditions throughout the city, the inferno some 45 kilometres east of downtown Chilliwack has now doubled in size in about 24 hours.

According to an update from the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) posted at 12:14 p.m. on Saturday, September 10, the fire has doubled from 30 hectares on Friday morning to an estimated 65 hectares today.

It is known as the Flood Falls Trail and has been designated as a human-caused, out of control fire.

About 43 firefighters and six helicopters have been dispatched to suppress the fire.

Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / PML / The view from an overpass west of Hope on Friday, Sept. 9.

There is currently no threat to critical infrastructure or homes, the BCWS said. There is pipeline construction infrastructure in the vicinity which has not been impacted.

The Fraser Valley Regional District and District of Hope have issued an evacuation alert for an area between Laidlaw in the west, or near Exit 160, to just west of Hope at exit 168.

An air quality advisory has been issued by Environment Canada and the B.C. Ministry of Environment for the entire Lower Mainland, from Horseshoe Bay in the west to Hope in the east, and north to Choate up Highway 1.