Chilliwack – 10 PM SATURDAY UPDATE – The fire is now 95% contained. BC Wildfire Service and the Chilliwack Fire Department will continue working together in a unified effort. Roads and back country access will remained closed to the public until further notice for the benefit of the fire fighters.
FVRD posted – Elk Mountain Trail has been closed until further notice due to the forest fire that is burning in the Ryder Lake area.
City of Chilliwack posted –City of Chilliwack @City_Chilliwack
Thank you to the Salvation Army for delivering food to our firefighters today as they work hard to put out the fire by Bench Rd.
3PM Saturday Update -The fire is 35% contained
-Two more helicopters have been added, bringing the total to four helicopters
-The roads are still closed from Bench Road from Lookout Road to Slesse and down to Chilliwack Army Forest Service Road. Please stay away from the area as our people need to work safely.
-We are blending resources and experience with BC Wildfire Service and the Chilliwack Fire Department. This is a unified effort.
11:30 AM SATURDAY UPDATE – City of Chilliwack –
Update, August 20, 11:20am
- We are blending resources and experience with BC Wildfire Service and the Chilliwack Fire Department. This is a unified effort.
- The roads are closed from Bench Road from Lookout Road to Slesse and down to Chilliwack Army Forest Service Road. Please stay away from the area as our people need to work safely.
- Helicopters are picking up water just upstream from the bridge that goes across the nearby Chilliwack River by Allison Pools. Please keep clear of this area.
- After an air assessment, it has been determined that the fire 17.2 hectares in size, the plan of attack on the fire remains the same.
- There is no threat to people or structures.
August 19, 9:45pm
- The fire is 20% contained
- Bench Forest Service Road is currently closed
ORIGINAL FRIDAY STORY – Some two dozen ground and air crew are working a small wildfire, six kilometres east of Ryder Lake near Chilliwack.
This started Friday afternoon.
Donna MacPherson with the BC Wildfire Service said the blaze is in fire department jurisdiction.
“We’ve sent 24 fire fighters, two helicopters, air tankers are in the area and they’re dropping retardant right now.”
The flames are moving east from some 100 homes near Slesse Park and Ryder Lake. The obvious concerns are a possible shift in the winds to threaten homes and perhaps moving smoke towards Cultus Lake.
FVRD Area E Director Orian Engar said that the possible cause could be gun enthusiasts taking to the hills for target practice, and sometimes they use propane tanks for their targets. That has yet to be confirmed.
Chilliwack Fire crews are working alongside BC Wildfire crews.
