Wildfire burning in Chilliwack River Valley

BC Wildfire Service is responding to a forest fire currently burning in the Chilliwack River Valley area.

Twenty-four firefighters and two helicopters have been dispatched to the area, located 6 km east of Ryder Lake and burning along Bench Forest Service Road.

BC Wildfire says the fire is currently one hectare in size and is burning on the ground and moving through underbrush and towards trees.

They add the area is under the extreme fire danger rating.

READ MORE: High temperatures prompt warning over increased risk of forest fires in B.C.

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Airtankers are on the way to the fire.

According to witnesses, smoke is visible from downtown Chilliwack.

@GlobalBC pic.twitter.com/nAG0FPVHzI

— witsend63 (@mebury) August 19, 2016

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/GlobalBC">@GlobalBC</a> <a href="https://t.co/nAG0FPVHzI">pic.twitter.com/nAG0FPVHzI</a></p><p>— witsend63 (@mebury) <a href="https://twitter.com/mebury/status/766731804392820736">August 19, 2016</a>