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Coquitlam wildfire now under control but Metro Vancouver skies are smoky

The fire that sparked Saturday in Minnekhada Regional Park is being held at 14 hectares (0.14 square kilometres) as of Tuesday

A wildfire in Minnekhada Regional Park in Coquitlam that sparked Saturday was nearly contained by Monday thanks to firefighting efforts by Metro Vancouver and B.C. Wildfire Service.
A wildfire in Minnekhada Regional Park in Coquitlam that sparked Saturday was nearly contained by Monday thanks to firefighting efforts by Metro Vancouver and B.C. Wildfire Service. Photo by Arlen Redekop /PNG

Crews from the B.C. Wildfire Service and Metro Vancouver continue to make progress containing the Minnekhada Regional Park fire in Coquitlam.

The wildfire that broke out on Saturday is being held at about the size of Granville Island. It is no longer considered to be out of control, said Metro Vancouver spokesperson Greg Valou on Tuesday.

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“Work by ground crews and aerial support over the past 24 hours has allowed firefighters to access critical areas and establish hose lines around the fire perimeter,” said Valou. He said a 50-person ground crew continues to work the blaze and helicopters are dropping water on hot spots.

Metro Vancouver advises the park remains closed and intermittent smoke will likely be seen until the fire is doused, which could take a few days.

The regional authority also warned that the area remains at high risk of more blazes. “It is exceptionally dry outside for this time of year, and the region is under a high to extreme fire danger rating heading into the long weekend,” said Valou.

He said the unusual October wildfire is a reminder that “even a small heat source can spark a major fire. Be vigilant around all ignition sources and report any fires to 911.”

Although the wildfire service suspects the Minnekhada fire is human-caused, Valou said it’s too early to discuss a possible investigation or consequences. He said the focus right now is on containing the blaze.

Smoke from the fire has been widely reported around Metro the past few days, but there is no air quality advisory. The B.C. government provides advice on minimizing the health effects of wildfire smoke on its website.

  1. Crews are on scene at a fire in #Minnekhada Regional Park. Oct. 1, 2022. Screen grab from video supplied by Metro Vancouver.

    Minnekhada Park in Coquitlam closed because of fire

  2. The Flood Falls Trail wildfire burns above the Fraser River in Hope, B.C., Monday, Sept. 12, 2022. As hot and dry conditions persist in the province, the superintendent of BC Wildfire Service's predictive services unit warns fire season in British Columbia is not yet over.

    B.C. Wildfire Service warns season not yet over amid drought

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