B.C. fires: Harrison Lake wildfire grows to 1,325 hectares
Wildfire is now three times the size of Vancouver's Stanley Park
An out-of-control wildfire burning near Harrison Hot Springs, B.C. has doubled in size, officials with the Ministry of Forests said Thursday.
The fire 20 kilometres west of Harrison Lake is now estimated at 1,325 hectares — burning an area three times the size of Vancouver's Stanley Park.
"The majority of the fire's growth took place on August 2 and 3, but heavy smoke in the area previously limited mapping capabilities," said B.C. Fire Information Officer Jordan Turner.
No homes or structures are at risk from the fire. Officials say the fire was human caused and is currently spreading northward away from the resort community of Harrison Hot Springs.
The fire started on Sunday afternoon and quickly grew, producing heavy smoke throughout the popular recreational area. It was funneled by tinder-dry conditions and high winds, but the cooler temperatures have helped firefighting crews. The forecast for Friday, however, calls for a return to warmer weather.
"Crews are currently working to assess and remove danger trees in work sites, and establish control lines and fuel-free areas on the north, west and south flanks," added Turner.
Campers at the nearby Wood Lake and Twenty Mile Bay campgrounds were told to evacuate as a precaution on Tuesday.