The District of Kent in B.C.’s eastern Fraser Valley declared a state of local emergency Thursday evening, and has warned residents to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
Residents were also warned to stay away from the area of Limbert Road and Cameron Road due to the Limbert Mountain wildfire.
The blaze is one of two fires crews were battling near Agassiz, both of which are believed to have been sparked by humans.
Strong winds are fanning the flames of the Limbert Mountain and Bear Mountain fires that were detected Thursday morning, said BC Wildfire Service spokesperson Marg Drysdale.
A helicopter and ground personnel were deployed to the Limbert Mountain blaze, which currently spans a little over a hectare in size, she said. The Agassiz Fire Department has joined BC Wildfire in responding.
The Bear Mountain fire, located southeast of Harrison Hot Springs, is less than half a hectare in size.
The District of Kent said in a Facebook post that the fire is on the south flank of the mountain, visible from Agassiz and Seabird Island.
Because the fire is contained in BC Hydro’s right of way, the utility is dealing with it, the district added.