Upper Squamish Valley wildfire leads to evacuations

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Squamish RCMP and the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) responded to an out of control fire (now called the Magee Road fire) on Wednesday afternoon, about 15 kilometres northwest of Brackendale near Squamish.

The blaze located in the Upper Squamish Valley caused the evacuation of residents in the McGee Road area as well as Evans Lake, Levette Lake and Cloudburst Crescent and has put the communities of Paradise Valley/Tunnel Station and those in the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District Area D under evacuation alert. The area includes communities in the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, District of Squamish and Squamish Nation.

Crews reported the fire as an aggressive fire fanned by 15 kilometre an hour winds in the late afternoon, which dropped later in the evening. The BCWS had 22 firefighters and 3 helicopters working on the blaze on Wednesday evening, which is estimated to be roughly 15 hectares in size.

Officials say the fire has threatened some homes including a campground and BC Hydro infrastructure. It has also cut off Squamish Valley Road, the main access road to the community. The public is being asked to avoid the area, and police say road blocks are in place as crews fight the fire.

Fire crews assisted Squamish RCMP in evacuating the Squamish Valley Campground and approximately 6 homes nearest the fire at the time of publication. Evacuees who are full time residents of the Upper Squamish Valley and require emergency accommodation should to go the Executive Suites Hotel, 40900 Tantalus Road, Squamish. Visitors and non-resident properties owners are directed to return to their usual residence. The Red Cross will follow up with evacuees on Thursday.

The fire is believed to be human caused and burning in heavy timber.