The Burns Bog fire in Delta has grown from 50 hectares up to 70 hectares in size according to the latest update provided by Mayor Lois Jackson on Monday morning.
The fire first began on Sunday, July 3 at approximately 11:40am just west of 80 street, east of Highway 17.
The Corporation of Delta Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) was activated at 3:15pm and is receiving assistance from Fortis BC and BC Hydro.
EOC was active over night and the fire has only been 10% contained. Fortunately however, the Mayor reports that it has not grown overnight.
Nearly 100 people a part of fire crews will be battling the blaze today from both the north and south fronts on the ground and in the air via air-tankers. The efforts are strategically designed to push the fire away from the Tilbury Industrial Area.
The operations are being led by Delta Fire with the help of Firefighters from BC Wildfire Services and Metro Vancouver. The city is no longer receiving support from Richmond, New Westminster, and Surrey.
As of midnight last night, River Road and other roads in the Tilbury Industrial Area were reopened with the exception of Progress Way between 76 Street and 80 Street. Businesses in this area remain evacuated. Highway 17 remains closed between Highway 91 and Highway 99. This section of the highway is being used as an access route for the first responders and it is not anticipated to reopen today. The Fraser River is currently under normal operation and is open to marine traffic.
Smoke from the blaze traveled to nearby communities and clouded the sky by Sunday evening. Metro Vancouver is currently monitoring the air and will be providing updates on conditions.
#BurnsBogFire doesn’t look good fr W Van @TrishJewison @VancityBuzz @604Now @NEWS1130 @GlobalBC @TeamVBC @CTVNorma pic.twitter.com/XJfdmf4YZe
— Cheryl Smith (@CherylSmithWV) July 3, 2016
Delta also adds that it will request a debrief with Metro Vancouver’s Burns Bog Scientific Advisory Panel once the fire has been fully extinguished and the last of the emergency first responders have been withdrawn.
UPDATE 3:45 pm. Officials state the fire is about 50 per cent contained.
Photo: Corporation of Delta
