Image: Julie Hiscock, used with permission / Layers of smoke filled the skies above Chilliwack Mountain late Tuesday night and/or Wednesday morning. As the result of a strong smell of smoke in downtown Chilliwack and the surrounding vicinity, Chilliwack Fire personnel responded to at least 12 calls for service due to the intense smell. There are two fires deemed out of control that are burning northwest of Agassiz, including one that is 300 hectares in size.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Overnight calls for Chilliwack Fire Dept

As smoke fills the air, Chilliwack Fire responds to multiple calls for service overnight

Jun 7, 2023 | 8:46 AM

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack Fire Department personnel responded to at least a dozen calls for service involving the strong smell of smoke overnight, even though no major fires broke out in Chilliwack between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

According to overnight scanner traffic, Chilliwack-area residents contacted emergency dispatch to report the strong smell of smoke overnight.

There are at least two fires burning northwest of Agassiz, including the Statiu Creek fire, which is 74 hectares and is deemed out of control by B.C. Wildfire Service. It was first discovered on Sunday, June 4.

The second fire northwest of Agassiz is much larger. It is fire V10588, west of Chehalis River, and is an estimated 300 hectares. It was first discovered Saturday, June 3.

These two fires may have contributed to the smoky skies above Chilliwack overnight, although there are multiple other fires elsewhere in the province.

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Residents on Bole Avenue, Broadway Avenue, Charles Street, Nowell Street, Edwards Street, and Young Road reported a strong smell of smoke overnight.

Scanner traffic indicates Chilliwack firefighters received up to, and possibly more than, a dozen calls.

One Chilliwack-area firefighter wrote on social media that nearby fire smoke spread throughout Chilliwack and urged residents to consider this before calling 911. This same Chilliwack-area firefighter said fire trucks were driving around town because people kept calling in for the smell of smoke.