A portion of B.C.’s popular E.C. Manning Provincial Park was closed on Friday as crews worked to battle a new 18-hectare wildfire.
The BC Wildfire Service said the fire was burning near Fat Dog Creek on the north side of Highway 3, about 54 kilometres southeast of Hope and 40 kilometres southwest of Princeton.
BC Parks said the park was closed on the north side of the highway from the Cascade parking area to Eastgate.
“All accesses into the park along this stretch are closed, including Blackwall Road, the Bonnevier Trail, Cambie Creek, The Hope Pass Trail and the Skagit Bluffs Trail,” it said.
The Ministry of Environment said all hikers that had been staying at the Buckhorn backcountry campsite had safely left the area.
The BC Wildfire Service said it is visible from the highway, but is not currently affecting the road.
An initial attack crew and officer, along with an intermediate helicopter have been deployed.