Latest news with #DistrictOfSquamish
CTV News
14-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Airflow pattern brings potential for increased wildfires in coastal B.C.
The Dryden Creek Wildfire, just north of Squamish, B.C. is seen in this handout image on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - BC Wildfire Service, District of Squamish **MANDATORY CREDIT** The BC Wildfire Service says the Coastal Fire Centre is expected to get its first 'outflow pattern' of the season, which could drive more significant fire behaviour. It says the pattern occurs when air flows out from the mountains towards the water, and will develop Monday and continue Tuesday in the region. The service says in a post on its website that winds are expected to moderate, although warm and dry conditions persist early this week before a return to a 'typical southwesterly flow' on Wednesday. It says the fire centre wants to warn the public about the potential for aggressive fire behaviour and asks anyone who sees a blaze to report it as early detection is 'crucial' to firefighting efforts. The service says there are 70 active fires burning across the province, nine of which are in the Coastal Fire Centre. Its latest situational report also notes that rain is expected in the southeast corner of B.C. on Monday. That update comes after an out-of-control wildfire near Princeton, B.C., prompted an evacuation order over the weekend for about 30 properties. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 14, 2025.
CBC
11-07-2025
- CBC
B.C. Parks closes part of Stawamus Chief Park due to 'food-conditioned' bear
B.C. Parks says sections of Stawamus Chief Park near Squamish will be closed until July 16 due to the presence of a "food-conditioned" bear. The park, a little more than 40 kilometres north of Vancouver, is an international destination for rock climbers. The closures largely affect certain bouldering areas at the base of the iconic 700-metre granite monolith. According to a statement from B.C. Parks, the closure is meant to "give the bear some space and a chance to move on," as well as ensure public safety. The agency did not respond to an interview request. Closures in the North Wall area of the park affect the bouldering areas from 0 to 1.4 kilometres on the Mamquam River Forest Service Road. Closures in the Grand Wall boulders include areas from Titanic South to the Apron Descent Trail. In both affected areas, the trails remain open, but B.C. Parks has asked visitors to use caution and not stop along the trail. The statement posted on the B.C. Parks website says visitors to all areas of the park must securely store all items that could attract bears, such as food, in a vehicle, hard-sided trailer or bear-proof locker. Failure to do so could result in eviction from the park and a violation ticket under the B.C. Wildlife Act. According to the local government, District of Squamish, the region is " prime bear habitat," with bears actively seeking food between March and December. In the summer months they feed on local berries, ants and grubs. The district, as well as the B.C. Conservation Officers Service, declined CBC News' interview requests to discuss both how the bear had been behaving leading up to the closure and how officials are tracking or managing it.
CTV News
09-07-2025
- CTV News
‘Food-conditioned' bear prompts partial closure of Stawamus Chief Park
Stawamus Chief Park is seen in an image from the B.C. Parks website. Officials are closing parts of a popular outdoor destination near Squamish, B.C., due to the presence of a 'food-conditioned' bear. The District of Squamish said the closure will apply to the North Wall and Grand Wall areas of Stawamus Chief Park, effective Wednesday. 'This closure is intended to give the bear some space and a chance to move on, and to ensure the continued public safety and protection of natural park values,' the district wrote on social media Tuesday. The Slhanay Trail in North Wall will remain open but officials urged users to be cautious. The Apron Trail will also stay open, but only as a 'through trail,' meaning users are not to stop. Full details on the closure are available on the B.C. Parks website. All park visitors are required to securely store food and other attractants as well, such as in a car, hard-sided trailer or bear-proof locker. 'Visitors failing to ensure they keep attractants secure may be evicted from the park and issued a violation ticket under the B.C. Wildlife Act,' the district said. 'Securely storing attractants is the best way to help keep visitors and bears safe.' The closures are expected to be lifted on July 16, officials said.
CTV News
14-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Helicopter video shows Squamish wildfire impact from above
The District of Squamish shared this aerial tour of the Dryden Creek wildfire Friday night. The District of Squamish has shared new video of the Dryden Creek wildfire that broke out Monday, prompting a local state of emergency, evacuation alerts and anxious days for residents of the community. The helicopter tour of the fire area, which the district posted on social media Friday night, shows minimal smoke and fire activity along the steep ridge where the blaze has been burning. In the video, clusters of red trees can be seen where aerial crews dropped fire retardant, while swaths of grey and brown show areas that were burned in the fire. As of Saturday morning, the BC Wildfire Service still classified the fire as 'out of control,' but crews said Friday that they expected to be able to update that status to 'being held' sometime over the weekend. In its most recent update, the district said the fire remained 59.5 hectares in size and 'cool, cloudy conditions' were supporting less intense fire behaviour. A total of 65 BCWS firefighters, five helicopters and one piece of heavy equipment were responding to the blaze Saturday. 'The fire will remain visible, especially at night, as it consumes unburned fuel,' the district's update reads. 'This activity is expected and does not necessarily indicate fire growth or pose a cause for concern.'
CTV News
14-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Helicopter video shows Squamish, B.C. wildfire
Vancouver Watch The District of Squamish shared this aerial tour of the Dryden Creek wildfire Friday night.
