The Squamish Valley wildfire that started on May 13, is still not officially out.
Located at the 20-km mark of the Squamish Valley Forest Service Road, the Shovelnose Creek fire continues to be monitored for hot spots and so is not being called out, a spokesperson for the BC Wildfire Service's Coastal Fire Centre told The Squamish Chief on June 16.
While the temperatures are cooler this week, and some other jurisdictions may have rescinded open fire or campfire bans, the bans remain for the Sea to Sky and the rest of the Coastal Fire region.
The "deep forest drought" conditions remain, the spokesperson said, and the region’s dense population and amount of infrastructure mean that the ban is necessary to prevent further wildfires.
The District of Squamish also has a ban on all open fires, including campfires. Campfire permits within the District are also suspended.
The Shovelnose Creek fire is suspected to be human-caused.
Of all fires, about 40% are human-caused. The rest are lightning-sparked, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
Since the start of the wildfire season on April 1, there have been 464 wildfires in B.C.; of those, 81 are currently active.
To report a wildfire or irresponsible behaviour that could start a wildfire in B.C., call 1-800- 663-5555 or (*5555 from a cell phone) as soon as possible.
