BCWS expects flare-ups on Boston Bar-area wildfires as hotter weather returns

BCWS expects flare-ups on Boston Bar-area wildfires as hotter weather returns Fraser Canyon fires heat up UPDATE: 1:08 p.m. Hotter weather is expected to ramp up fire activity this week on the massive Brunswick Complex near Boston Bar, where crews are...

BCWS expects flare-ups on Boston Bar-area wildfires as hotter weather returns Fraser Canyon fires heat up UPDATE: 1:08 p.m. Hotter weather is expected to ramp up fire activity this week on the massive Brunswick Complex near Boston Bar, where crews are racing to strengthen containment lines before temperatures climb. The Brunswick Complex is made up of the Brunswick Creek and Ainslie Creek wildfires, burning on either side of the Fraser Canyon near Boston Bar, about 20 kilometres south of Lytton.

The fires cover a combined area of about 19,000 hectares. In an update late Monday morning, the BC Wildfire Service said a building ridge over the province is expected to push daytime highs into the low 30s through the middle of the week. Firefighters are expecting flare ups on the southeast corner of the Brunswick Creek blaze over the next 48 to 72 hours.

Crews are working to bring the fire down to established control lines while heavy equipment works to open roads south of the fire to help with containment. On the larger Ainslie Creek wildfire, firefighters are continuing an attack along the Highway 1 corridor to help keep the route open while protecting nearby structures and critical infrastructure. In the Merritt operational zone, crews are extinguishing hotspots, removing dangerous trees and establishing hose lines along the fire's northeastern perimeter.

Heavy-lift helicopters are also dropping water along the southeast flank to prevent the wildfire from spreading toward Stoyoma Mountain, where steep terrain is limiting access for ground crews. Highway 1 is open through the area, but drivers are not allowed to stop in the fire zone. Multiple evacuation orders and alerts are in place due to the Brunswick Complex.

Click here for more information about which properties are impacted. UPDATE: 9:16 a.m. A brief break in the weather is expected to fade Monday as firefighters battle the Brunswick Complex wildfire near Boston Bar.

Environment Canada is forecasting a high of 31 C under mainly sunny skies, with south winds increasing to 20 km/h and gusting to 40 km/h through the afternoon. The return of hotter weather follows a cooler weekend that brought higher humidity and a little bit of rain, allowing BC Wildfire Service crews to carry out direct attack operations on both the Brunswick Creek and Ainslie Creek wildfires. While Monday's forecast is warmer, winds are expected to remain below the stronger gusts that helped drive rapid fire growth last week.

The BC Wildfire Service said overnight that firefighters are continuing to take advantage of moderated fire behaviour by attacking the fires directly, protecting structures near Boothroyd and working to establish fire lines on the Ainslie Creek wildfire's southwest flank while keeping Highway 1 open through the Fraser Canyon. The Brunswick Complex has changed little in size since last week and covers nearly 19,000 hectares. ORIGINAL STORY: 9:03 a.m.

Crews fighting out-of-control wildfires near Boston Bar took advantage of favourable weather to attack the blazes directly, before fire intensity is expected to pick up following a cooler weekend. The size of the Brunswick complex of wildfires, consisting of the Brunswick Creek and Ainslie Creek blazes, has been little changed since last week with a combined size of more than 188 square kilometres, after weekend rain and cooler weather moderated fire behaviour. The BC Wildfire Service says in an overnight update that crews will take advantage of the reduced fire activity to directly attack the fires as well as making sure the Highway 1 corridor through the area remains open.

Crews are also working to protect structures near Boothroyd while establishing fire lines on the Ainslie Creek blaze's southwest flank. The fires have triggered evacuation orders and alerts for hundreds of properties and have destroyed some structures, while Highway 1 was closed last week in the Fraser Canyon before reopening. Fire crews issued a warning over the weekend for the public to avoid stopping or speeding on Highway 1 near Boston Bar due to the fires, as well as to avoid drone use that had disrupted firefighting aircraft operations.

— The Canadian Press More Kamloops News - Live Kelowna CouncilKelowna - 1:30 pm - New blaze ignitesAnarchist - 1:15 pm - Festival victims targetedToronto - 1:10 pm - Fraser Canyon fires heat upBoston Bar - 1:08 pm - Rail line won't be soldSquamish-100 Mile House - 1:03 pm