Squamish, B.C., declares wildfire state of emergency as blaze looms over community

The District of Squamish has declared a local state of emergency due to an out-of-control wildfire that it says poses an imminent threat to people and property.

The declaration signed by Mayor Armand Hurford says the blaze is threatening the neighbourhoods of Brackendale, Tantalus Road and Skyridge in the community about 60 kilometres north of Vancouver.

The district said on its website that the five-hectare Dryden Creek wildfire is being fought by air and groundcrews from the BC Wildfire Service, while Squamish Fire Rescue crews are setting up sprinklers to protect homes and assisting with fire suppression.

Hurford said about 100 properties were on evacuation alert as of Tuesday afternoon, and bylaw officers and RCMP were going door to door in the alert area to ensure people are aware.

He said the declaration of a state of emergency came from an abundance of caution, and it wasn’t about a change in the fire behavior.

Hurford said he has “serious concerns” about what the wildfire season will look like, since it’s still early in June and this is the third fire that’s been close to the community this year.

“I’m really concerned for the year ahead, as it’s just so early in the season to be having an issue such as this, in such close proximity to the community in what is generally a lush coastal rainforest.”

Residents of the community that is popular with adventure and outdoor sports enthusiasts have not yet been ordered to leave.

“The fire suppression efforts continue to be aggressive with air and groundcrews,” said the statement from the District of Squamish.

It said three helicopters are dedicated to the fire.

“Given the terrain, these are the most effective tools to tackle the fire. Additional fixed wing aircraft will be brought in if required.”

Gordon Robinson, an information officer with the BC Wildfire Service, said the steep terrain creates additional challenges for firefighters with the risk of debris rolling downhill from a fire.

He said 28 firefighters with the wildfire service are on the ground now after it received a request from the Squamish Fire Rescue Centre on Monday.

Kevin Hole has been watching the wildfire from his backyard since he smelled the smoke on Monday afternoon.

He said aircrews have been bombarding the fire since then.

“There are a couple of helicopters just continuing. Every couple of minutes, you’ll see one come in and drop some more water in the area,” said Hole.

“It’s not helping (that) the winds just picked up here over the last kind of hour, heading north,” said Hole in an interview on Tuesday.

The fire is in forested mountain terrain on the east side of the Sea-to-Sky Highway, while the threatened neighbourhoods are just on the other side of the highway that connects Vancouver and Whistler.

Hole said he packed his bags with essential items since Monday night, and has been communicating with his friends in the area, while checking for updates from the District of Squamish for the latest on the wildfire situation.

Hole said there are dozens of fire spots with the blazes “creeping and growing” towards their homes.

He said he is hoping the helicopters will be able control the fire.

The district said if an evacuation order is issued, officials will go door-to-door to require people to get out ahead of the blaze.

The BC Wildfire Service said the fire is believed to be human caused.

Squamish Nation is urging residents to avoid spending time outside as the air quality and visibility due to the wildfire smoke fluctuates from hour to hour.

“As the area continues to be blanketed in smoke, we continue our reach out to (the) community, particularly for vulnerable Squamish people,” says a statement from the First Nation.

The district says the emergency declaration will remain in place until June 24 unless rescinded.

One of the largest wildfires in B.C. has doubled in size since Monday, measuring 1,300 square kilometres in the Peace River Regional District.

The BC Wildfire Service said the Pocket Knife Creek blaze is the result of two fires merging over the weekend in northeastern B.C.

The fire is believed to have been caused by lightning and has triggered an evacuation order and alert from the district.

The wildfire resulted in the closure of Highway 97 Sunday, but the service said in an update that the road had reopened on Monday.

There are nearly 90 wildfires actively burning across B.C., most in the northeast where there are three so-called wildfires of note.

It said more than half the province’s fires are currently classified as burning out of control.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 10, 2025.

Nono Shen, The Canadian Press