Metro Vancouver is now directly affected by B.C.'s escalating wildfire season after a fire near Belcarra Regional Park prompted evacuation alerts for a few dozen properties in the village of Anmore on Wednesday afternoon. The blaze is the first of substantial size to threaten the Lower Mainland this season, which has already devastated communities in southern B.C.'s Interior.
Evacuations, alerts and public safety steps
Local authorities issued evacuation alerts for properties in Anmore as crews responded to the nearby fire. The move comes amid an intense firefighting effort across the province, with hundreds of homes reported destroyed in the Interior and thousands of residents forced from their homes over recent weeks.
At the same time, officials in the Fraser Canyon have begun allowing some residents to return. Evacuation orders affecting areas in and around Boston Bar were downgraded to alerts on Wednesday, after several weeks of displacement. A large sign reading "Welcome Home!" was posted by the Boston Bar and North Bend fire department, social media photos show, as residents started to make their way back.
Ongoing large fires in the region
Fires burning in the Fraser Valley remain serious. The Brunswick Creek and Ainslie Creek wildfires are reported to be burning out of control, together spanning more than 480 square kilometres. The Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) cautioned that residents must remain ready to evacuate as conditions change.
Patricia Ross, chair of the FVRD board, emphasised caution even as some evacuation orders were lifted.
“They’ve done a good assessment of the area, they’re confident that it is safe enough for people … that they can go home, at least for now,”
Ross added that officials are hopeful the situation holds, but remain watchful for weather shifts that could worsen conditions.
What returning residents should know
Authorities provided guidance for people heading back to their properties in the downgraded zones. A boil-water advisory remains in effect for affected areas, and officials advised residents to carry supplies to support an initial period at home.
- Bring bottled water and plenty of food.
- Pack cleaning supplies and a first-aid kit.
- Document any property damage with photographs.
The FVRD has posted online resource pages with contacts for recovery assistance and additional details for people re-entering their communities.
Scope of evacuation notices in the regional district
The regional district reported there are currently 867 properties subject to evacuation alerts, while 46 properties remain under evacuation orders in its jurisdiction. First Nations communities were also noted as part of the affected areas, reflecting the broad footprint of the fires.
| Evacuation status | Number of properties |
|---|---|
| Evacuation alerts | 867 |
| Evacuation orders | 46 |
Context: a season of destruction
The arrival of a significant fire in Metro Vancouver marks a worrying turn in a wildfire season that has obliterated entire neighbourhoods in the Interior. Authorities have reported hundreds of homes destroyed across southern B.C., and thousands of residents displaced. Firefighters continue to battle numerous large blazes while managing limited resources against shifting weather and terrain challenges.
Local and provincial agencies say they are coordinating response and recovery work. The BC Wildfire Service conducted the assessment that supported the decision to downgrade some evacuation orders to alerts, according to FVRD officials.
What to watch next
Residents in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley should monitor official alerts and local media for changes. Evacuation alerts mean households should be prepared to leave at short notice; evacuation orders require immediate departure. Given ongoing fires and unpredictable weather, officials warned that the situation could change rapidly.
For the latest information, people should consult the Fraser Valley Regional District and BC Wildfire Service webpages, and follow updates from municipal emergency services.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available and as authorities release further details about the fire near Belcarra Regional Park and its impact on local communities.
