Highway reopens near Boston Bar as crews report minimal overnight growth on fires

UPDATE: 9:31 a.m. Highway 1 has reopened through the Brunswick Complex wildfire zone near Boston Bar as cooler, more humid conditions are expected to moderate fire behaviour Friday.

Highway reopens near Boston Bar as crews report minimal overnight growth on fires Hwy. 1 reopens near fires UPDATE: 9:31 a.m. Highway 1 has reopened through the Brunswick Complex wildfire zone near Boston Bar as cooler, more humid conditions are expected to moderate fire behaviour Friday. The BC Wildfire Service said reduced speeds are in effect and drivers are not allowed to stop near the fire, which is actively burning along the highway corridor.

The Brunswick Complex includes the Brunswick Creek and Ainslie Creek wildfires, burning on opposite sides of the Fraser River about 20 kilometres south of Lytton. Together, they have burned more than 20,000 hectares. BCWS said neither the Brunswick Creek nor Ainslie Creek wildfire showed major growth toward structures or critical infrastructure during Thursday’s unstable weather, and minimal growth was reported overnight.

Crews are preparing for potential flare-ups Friday afternoon when wind gusts are expected to pick up. On the Brunswick Creek fire, crews and aircraft are focusing on holding the fire’s east flank, while structure protection work continues around Boston Bar. On Ainslie Creek, crews have resumed direct attacks along the northeast perimeter after shifting to safer parallel and indirect tactics during Thursday’s intense conditions.

Helicopters continue to bucket the southeast flank to prevent the fire from moving toward Stoyoma Mountain. BCWS said more moderate weather is expected through Saturday, but warming and drying conditions will return Sunday and Monday. Multiple evacuation orders and alerts are in place due to the Brunswick Complex.

Click here for more information about which properties are impacted. ORIGINAL STORY: 7:13 a.m.

Gusty winds are expected to again challenge crews battling a pair of wildfires near Boston Bar on Friday, a day after dangerous conditions forced some firefighters to retreat. The Brunswick Complex includes the Brunswick Creek and Ainslie Creek wildfires, burning on opposite sides of the Fraser River about 20 kilometres south of Lytton. Together, the two fires have burned more than 20,000 hectares.

The BC Wildfire Service is expecting slightly cooler temperatures and higher humidity than Thursday, when erratic winds and unstable conditions forced some crews fighting the Brunswick Creek fire to pull back for their safety. Boston Bar was ordered to evacuate on Thursday morning, as were nearby First Nations communities. Environment Canada’s forecast calls for highs reaching 34 C in Boston Bar on Friday.

Southerly winds are expected to blow at 20 km/h and gust to 40 km/h through much of the day before increasing to 40 km/h with gusts of 60 km/h beginning around 6 p.m. On the Ainslie Creek wildfire, crews have been working along Highway 1 to extinguish hot spots and patrol areas near structures and other important infrastructure. The fire grew along its northeast flank into steep terrain, but BCWS said the growth was not threatening structures or critical infrastructure. Crews have spent several days working to prevent eastward growth toward Stoyoma Mountain.

On the Brunswick Creek fire, structure protection work continues near Boston Bar and firefighters are working to beef up control lines around the community. Night-vision helicopters have also been cooling hot spots along the southeast flank. Highway 1 remains closed north of Boston Bar due to active wildfire activity along the corridor.

Multiple evacuation orders and alerts are in place due to the Brunswick Complex. Click here for more information about which properties are impacted. More Kamloops News - 27 new blazes overnightBC - 9:47 am - Fairlife pauses production Chicago - 9:44 am - Earthquake hits MexicoMexico - 9:42 am - Investigating CN's actions Montreal - 9:34 am - Halifax wildfire grows Halifax - 9:33 am