Burns Bog fire hops highway and grows beyond 50 hectares

by Charlie Smith on July 3rd, 2016 at 6:19 PM

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Approximately 80 firefighters are battling a blaze that started in Burns Bog late this morning and crossed Highway 17 this afternoon in Delta.

Late this afternoon Delta emergency officials and Mayor Lois Jackson told reporters that the Tilbury Industrial Park has been evacuated and boats are prohibited from going down the Fraser River in the fire zone.

The fire has reached 55 hectares, making it nearly one-seventh the size of Stanley Park.

The bog is 3,500 hectares and is home to more than 175 bird species.

According to the municipal government, the fire began around 11:40 a.m. west of 80 Street and east of Highway 17,

"B.C. Wildfire Services and Metro Vancouver are battling the fire in Burns Bog," the municipality says on its website. "Current efforts from Delta Fire have been focused on containing and preventing the spread of the fire to the Tilbury area and defending crucial infrastructure."

It notes that "there is no immediate risk to residential areas".

Highway 17 is closed from Highway 99 to Nordel Way and the Highway 91 connector has also been closed to regular traffic. In addition, there's no traffic permitted on River Road from 62b Street in Ladner to the Nordel Way and Highway 91 connector.