Evacuation order issued for homes near Old Sechelt Mine fire

UPDATE (July 6, 7 p.m.) – Officials say an evacuation order has been issued for the Carlson Point area in Electoral Area B in the Sunshine Coast Regional District. This evacuation order affects eight residents from 21 waterfront properties. 

As of Monday night, the wildfire is estimated to be 150 hectares in size and is 40 per cent contained.

UPDATE (July 5, 3 p.m.) – Officials with the Sunshine Coast Regional District say the BC Forest Service has command of the site. The fire is now 80 hectares in size, but all growth has been to the west and north, away from the cabins under an evacuation alert.

An evacuation alert has been issued for 18 properties north of Sechelt due to wildfire activity due to a wildfire burning near Sechelt.

No structures are currently threatened, and evacuations have not been ordered. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

There is heavy smoke and ash in the area, but this is mainly due to active wildfires inland.

An evacuation alert has been issued for 18 properties north of the town of Sechelt due to wildfire activity due to a wildfire burning near Sechelt.

The fire is about 10 kilometres northeast of Sechelt, and is near an abandoned mine site. It was estimated to be 35 hecatres in size on July 3, but had grown to 65 hectares by July 4.

Twenty-six firefighters and two helicopters are on site, along with two water tenders and four tree fallers. Residents are being warned they could be asked to leave their homes with little notice.

The areas under evacuation alert:

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View image in full screen

Windy conditions Thursday evening meant it could be smelled as far away as the North Shore – and a spectacular sunset made for imposing visuals throughout Metro Vancouver.

For updates on wildfire activity visit bcwildfire.ca.

-with files from Jon Azpiri