UPDATE: 13:25 A dozen properties near the Flood Falls fire have been placed under evacuation orders Saturday as the large wildfire continues to grow. The Fraser Valley Regional District and the District of Hope issued the order for parts of the Laidlaw area near Hope due to the danger posed by the large fire. Fire information officer Paula Walbauer said the orders were issued because of concerns about getting people out of the areas if the fire continues to grow. “We’re not saying the fire is closer to those homes, but making sure they get out in case of reduced visibility and fire behavior,” Walbauer said. Additional evacuation notices remain in effect for areas south of the Trans-Canada Highway. The fire appears to be spreading westward at this time, away from Elpida. Eastbound lanes of the freeway remain closed through the area and travelers must detour through Agassiz using Highways 9 and 7. Westbound traffic remains open on Highway 1 at this time. The fire is currently estimated at 458 hectares. Photo: BCWS The Flood Falls Trail fire is burning near Hope Saturday. UPDATE: 10:35 a.m The large fire burning southwest of Hope has now forced the partial closure of nearby Highway 1. All eastbound traffic from Annis Road to Flood Hope Road is now being rerouted via Highways 9 and 7, through Agassiz, “due to nearby fire activity” according to DriveBC. Westbound traffic may continue to use Highway 1 through the area for now. The fire has grown significantly in the last day, to about 458 acres. Recent development has led to an extension of the evacuation alert for homes in the area. ORIGINAL: 9:30am The fire burning near Hope has grown to about 458 hectares and the evacuation alert for the area has been extended. The Flood Falls fire broke out Thursday night southwest of Hope, on the steep terrain above the Trans-Canada Highway. While the BC Wildfire Service estimated the fire was just 50 hectares in size on Saturday, the latest estimate is more than nine times that. “Due to warm, dry conditions and gusty winds, increased fire behavior will be seen today,” BCWS says in its latest fire update. “This fire is burning very steep terrain that presents access challenges for ground crews. Helicopters are focused on the bucket of the east and west flanks of this fire.” On Saturday night, the District of Hope and the Fraser Valley Regional District extended the evacuation alert westward through the Hunter Creek area into the Laidlaw areas. “Prevailing winds have pushed the Flood Falls Trail wildfire to the west, increasing the risk to the community of Laidlaw,” the District of Hope posted Saturday night. “This notice is a precautionary measure to ensure the residents of Laidlaw are aware of the fire risk and are prepared for excavation should this become necessary.” Firefighters are working to protect the nearby Trans-Canada Highway and other homes and infrastructure in the area “Values at risk include homes and infrastructure within the District of Hope, Highway 1, the Trans Mountain Pipeline [and] Hunter Creek Hydro Project,” BCWS reports. There are now 54 BCWS firefighters working on the fire, along with support from the Hope Fire Department. Six helicopters are also helping with the suppression. The fire is believed to be human-caused.
