The residents of more than two-dozen properties in the community of Lions Bay along B.C.’s Sea to Sky Highway have been told they need to be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice due to a small wildfire that sparked Sunday.
The Lone Tree Creek fire, located about a kilometre southeast of the village, is one of several new blazes caused by a lightning storm that swept southern B.C. over the weekend.
As of Monday morning, officials estimated the fire’s size at 0.01 hectares.
The Village of Lions Bay issued an evacuation alert for roughly 30 properties on Oceanview Road and Kevin Grove Way Sunday night.
Local search and rescue volunteers said they were evacuating hikers in the area and asked people to avoid Mount Unnecessary and the Erin Moore trails.
The B.C. Wildfire Service said crews were making “good progress” Monday on building a hand guard around the perimeter of the fire. While smoke may be visible from the highway, the agency said there are no current threats to public safety or infrastructure. The Sea to Sky remains open.
The blaze is one of roughly 180 active wildfires burning in B.C. More than 60 fires sparked in a 24-hour period after more than 11,000 lightning strikes were recorded in the southern portion of the province, according to BCWS, but three-quarters of them are being held, under control, or out.
Officials say hot and dry weather will return this week, creating the potential for smouldering lightning-caused fires to flare up.
Anyone who sees a wildfire is urged to report it by calling 1-800-663-5555 or *5555 on a cellphone, or through the BCWS app.
