Update: BC Wildfire Service's map is showing several new fires in the Whistler area after a lightning storm rolled through early Friday evening.
The map shows one fire burning out of control at 0.1 hectares just north of Whistler by Highway 99 at Green River.
Four more small fires are reportedly burning south of Whistler, three by Garibaldi Lake and one by Cypress Peak.
All are suspected to be lightning-caused.
Check back for updates,
Follow the wildfire situation here, and find more emergency info and resources on the Resort Municipality of Whistler's website.
-Braden Dupuis
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Two fires near Whistler and Pemberton are being fought by aircraft following a lightning event this week.
“There are several lightning-caused fires in the Pemberton area that are producing smoke that's visible from Highway 99, Pemberton and Whistler,” said a BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) information officer, adding there are no properties or infrastructure currently in danger.
“Currently there are no immediate values that are at risk from these wildfires,” they said on Friday afternoon, Aug. 9.
Two of the fires—the Birkenhead Lake fire, and the Rutherford Creek fire—were discovered on Aug. 5 and 6 respectively, and are in areas that require aircraft support. Both are classified as out of control.
“The fires are in steep, challenging terrain, rolling debris and tree failure are occurring, and our crew safety remains our top priority,” said the information officer.
“Our crews are continuing to work on operable objects and are supported by aircraft where terrain is unsafe for ground crews to access.”
The Birkenhead Lake fire quadrupled in size overnight, growing to 219 hectares from only 50 the previous day. The information officer said this was expected due to the topography of the area.
Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park is closed to the public for safety reasons, having been evacuated on Aug. 8.
Currently, there are 26 firefighters and five operational staff responding to that fire, with aircraft support when conditions allow—hence the procession of skimmers taking water from Green Lake in Whistler on Friday.
Those same planes are also assisting with the Rutherford Creek fire, which is being worked on by 21 firefighters, an officer, a helicopter and a waterskimmer group.
That fire, which as of Friday was being reported as being 10 hectares, was expected to grow due to the difficult topography and fuel in the area.
The information officer stressed the importance of vigilance in the community.
“What's important right now is preventing human-caused wildfires," they said. "We need people to be extremely vigilant when they’re recreating because we really need our resources on those naturally caused that we can’t prevent.”
Whistler residents are encouraged to report any fires to assist with early detection. According to BC Wildfire, up to 40 per cent of wildfires are first discovered by the public.
Anyone who sees a wildfire outside of Whistler is asked to contact BCWS immediately at 1-800-663-5555 or text *5555. In Whistler, call 911.
