Image: Supplied by B.C. Wildfire Service / Highway 1 east of Chilliwack is now closed eastbound at Bridal Falls Road due to the Flood Falls Trail fire west of Hope.
Highway 1

Eastbound Highway 1 closed east of Chilliwack due to fire west of Hope; detour via Highway 9 and 7

Sep 11, 2022 | 7:20 AM

CHILLIWACK — Drive B.C. has announced Sunday morning (Sept. 11) that eastbound Highway 1 east of Chilliwack is now closed due to the Flood Falls Trail fire from Highway 9, Exit 135, to Highway 3.

Drive B.C. reported Sunday morning, “There is a wildfire between Annis Rd. and Flood Hope Rd. for 35.3 km (2 km east of Chilliwack to Hope). Full eastbound lane closure due to nearby wildfire activity. All eastbound traffic to be detoured via highway 9 and highway 7.”

Westbound Highway 1 is not being impacted at this time. Drive B.C. is reminding motorists not to stop along westbound Highway 1 to take pictures or video.

The Flood Falls Trail fire has now expanded westward to near Exit 160 along Highway 1, the Hunter Creek Road and St. Elmo Road exit, as smoky skies smother Chilliwack and the Fraser Valley with hazardous air quality conditions.

At last count, BCWS says the fire has now grown to 271 hectares, according to an update posted Saturday night, Sept. 10.

On Saturday evening, pursuant to the B.C. Emergency Program Act, and on the recommendation of the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS), an evacuation alert has been issued by the Fraser Valley Regional District.

Because of the potential danger to life, safety and health caused by the Flood Falls Trail wildfire, FVRD has issued this evacuation alert for properties east of Highway 1 in Laidlaw, FVRD Electoral Area B.

The alert expands the initial evacuation alert jointly issued by the District of Hope and FVRD on Friday, Sept. 9.

According to the FVRD evacuation alert memorandum found on its website, “prevailing winds have pushed the Flood Falls Trail wildfire to the west, increasing risk to the Laidlaw community. This alert is a precautionary measure to ensure Laidlaw residents are aware of the fire risk and are prepared for evacuation if it becomes necessary.”

There is currently no threat to critical infrastructure or homes, FVRD says. There is pipeline construction infrastructure in the vicinity which has not been impacted, it added.

The FVRD Regional Airpark (CYHE) near Hope has been closed to recreational flights. BCWS is using the airpark for their operations.

Residents in Eastern Hillsides of Chilliwack, close to Exit 129 (Annis Road), were reporting the presence of ash in the air Saturday night on social media.