Image: Submitted, used with permission /

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Fire at lumber mill

Update: Cause of Chilliwack mill fire under investigation

Jun 19, 2024 | 4:51 PM

**Update Monday morning at 9 a.m.: Chilliwack Fire Department personnel say 35 firefighters from Halls 1, 4, and 6 responded to a mill fire in the 6500 block of Lickman Road. Heavy smoke was visible en route, and upon arrival, crews encountered a hopper on fire with multiple exposures on site. Firefighters quickly established a water supply and worked aggressively to contain the fire, effectively reducing exposure damage.

During the incident, one of the main hose supply lines was threatened by a driver.

“We would like to remind everyone that hose lines across roadways are not designed to support the weight of a vehicle and should never be crossed,” Assistant Fire Chief Krista Minar said. “Crossing hose lines endangers the firefighters relying on them.”

RCMP and BCEHS were on site to provide support. There were no reported injuries among site staff or firefighters. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

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CHILLIWACK — Multiple Chilliwack Fire Department engines have been dispatched for a fire Wednesday afternoon (June 19) at a lumber mill on Lickman Road.

According to scanner traffic, firefighters were called to a fire at Visscher Lumber, 6545 Lickman Road.

An image shared by a Chilliwack resident who lives in the area shows multiple firefighters on scene as smoke can be seen billowing from the mill.

The fire is reportedly in the rear of the mill. A witness reported hearing multiple explosions around the time of the fire.

One individual on Facebook said the mill’s sawdust hopper caught fire.