The fire above Horseshoe Bay has shrunk to two hectares.
Overnight the inferno had tripled in size, from one hectare to three hectares, sparking worry among Bowen Islanders watching the smoke from their east-facing windows, backyards, or the deck of the Queen of Capilano.
It was a single strand of smoke last night.
But it grew.
View of the #fire from the 11am @BCFerries leaving #HorseshoeBay . Fire crews in helicopters and water bombers clearly working hard. pic.twitter.com/9kAhN6eJA7
— Iain Black (@iainblack_gvbot) August 9, 2018
West Vancouver Fire and Rescue, Metro Vancouver and Coastal Fire are fighting the fire.
A press release at 3 p.m. from the District of West Vancouver said that the fire was now 25 per cent contained and its size was shrinking.
Waterbombers have been dropping fire retardant and a northbound lane of Highway 99 is closed for staging of emergency vehicles.
There are no buildings at risk but the authorities have closed all the trails in the area including the Baden Powell and the Black Mountain.
“The smoke from the fire is currently moving south towards Horseshoe Bay and the BC Ferries Terminal. People in the affected area should close their windows, and people with breathing difficulties should use extra caution leave the area until the smoke diminishes,” said a press release from the District ofWest Vancouver.
The press release also announced that barbecues are prohibited in District of North Vancouver, District of West Vancouver and City of North Vancouver.
West Vancouver assistant fire chief Jeff Bush said that the fire was almost certainly human-caused.
While the fire is across the Sound, Bowen Island is at extreme fire rating and the municipality notes that caution should be used on-island.
More updates are expected as the day progresses.
With files from Brent Richter/Northshore News
