A wildfire near Vancouver has led to an evacuation alert for approximately 30 properties in a community just north of the city. The Village of Lions Bay issued the alert on Sunday evening for properties located on Oceanview and Kelvin Grove roads, situated above Highway 99.
The fire is currently burning in the vicinity of Mount Unnecessary and the Erin Moore trails. Lions Bay Search and Rescue has been mobilized to assist in evacuating hikers from the affected area.
Although the fire is listed as out of control as of Sunday, it covers only a small fraction of a square kilometer. The BC Wildfire Service is actively responding to the situation with ground and air crews, receiving additional support from Metro Vancouver and West Vancouver. Smoke from the fire may be visible from the Sea-to-Sky Highway.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, but it is believed to be linked to a recent severe thunderstorm that swept through the province, generating about 7,000 lightning strikes. The thunderstorm caused significant disruptions, including property damage, power outages, and grounded air traffic at Vancouver International Airport.
The thunderstorm triggered numerous new fires in southern British Columbia, with lightning strikes being accompanied by precipitation in many areas, which helped in reducing the number and severity of new fire starts. However, the BC Wildfire Service cautioned about the possibility of “holdover fires” emerging in areas where lightning strikes continue to smolder before potentially igniting in warmer conditions.
Currently, there are 184 active wildfires across British Columbia, with approximately one-third of them classified as out of control.