Officials say the fire broke out around 2:30 a.m. at a wood recycling facility near Ontario Street and Marine Drive. The fire was in a pile of wood scraps in an industrial area, according to Deputy Assistant Fire Chief Andy Greenwood. A fire boat had to be deployed to the Fraser River early in the morning. “We’ll be here all day,” Greenwood said Saturday morning. “We are doing our best to get it under control. But in the meantime… shut up [your] windows if you can.” Very heavy smoke in the river area this morning as the Video from pic.twitter.com/1stllnlU4n — @Karen_Fry On Saturday afternoon, Metro Vancouver issued an air quality advisory for the region and the Fraser Valley due to smoke from the fire, as well as fires in the southern interior. “Significant smoke … is being trapped near the surface due to an inversion,” a spokesman from the regional district said. “Smoke from the fire is affecting many municipalities including Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, New Westminster, Surrey and Coquitlam.” That explains the thick smoke in South Vancouver this morning. Crews dealing with a fire near Ontario Street and the Fraser River. pic.twitter.com/MzLiEoJNx7 — @Tarnjitkparmar Investigators are now on the scene trying to determine the cause of the woodpile fire, according to Greenwood. No injuries or threats to nearby businesses were reported. “Any smoke is dangerous especially for those with breathing problems,” tweeted Fire Chief Karen Fry. “Keep your windows closed, avoid being outside or exercising in smoke.” The Metro Vancouver spokesperson said smoke is more likely to affect people with chronic illnesses, pregnant women and infants and the elderly. They said additional smoke was also likely to arrive Sunday from wildfires on the U.S. border. The fire broke out in an industrial area near Ontario Street and SE Marine Drive Saturday morning. (Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services)
