Image: BC Wildfire Service / The Chehalis River fire has grown to over 750 hectares and is located 1.3 km north of Chehalis Lake, north of Hemlock Valley. It is human caused, BC Wildfire Service suspects, and has been classified as out of control, meaning it is not responding to suppression efforts.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Fires north of Chilliwack, Mission

BC Wildfire battling human-caused Chehalis River fire north of Hemlock Valley

Jul 26, 2023 | 7:54 AM

HEMLOCK VALLEY — BC Wildfire Service continues to battle a fire deemed out of control north of Hemlock Valley.

The Chehalis River fire was first discovered on June 3 and has grown to 767 hectares as of Tuesday, July 25. It is located 1.3 km north of Chehalis Lake.

The fire has been classified as out of control, meaning it continues to spread and is not responding to suppression efforts.

BC Wildfire believes the fire was caused by human activity.

Meanwhile, a wildfire that broke out in the Cannell Lake area Saturday (Jul. 22) has kept Mission Fire and BC Wildfire crews on alert as they maintain their efforts to contain the flames. That fire is now 2.5 hectares in size.

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In response to the escalating situation, Mission’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has been activated and all available resources are being deployed to monitor and combat the blaze.

“I want to thank the quick action of our crews and the collaboration between multiple agencies to fight this fire,” said EOC Director Ian Glasgow. “Mission Fire, BC Wildfire, City of Mission Forestry, and other agencies have been working hard to manage the situation. We’re asking the public to avoid the area to give the crews the space they need to bring in fire apparatus.”

Image: City of Mission / Hunter Hill fire

The fire is burning in the Cannell Lake area. At this point, officials say there is no threat to neighboring communities.

The wildfire fighting effort is a joint collaboration between various agencies, including Mission Fire, the BC Wildfire Service, City of Mission Forestry, and others.

At this point, the cause of the wildfire is not known however an investigation is underway.