Wildfire complex near Boston Bar expands, orders evacuations

A wildfire complex near Boston Bar, British Columbia, has grown explosively, destroying structures and forcing new evacuations as firefighters brace for continued challenging conditions. The out-of-control Brunswick Creek and Ainslie Creek fires, collectively called the Brunswick Complex, now cover nearly 200 square kilometres on both sides of the Fraser River.

On Wednesday night, the Fraser Valley Regional District upgraded an evacuation alert to an order for approximately 40 properties. Hundreds of properties in the Fraser Canyon area are now under evacuation orders, with additional alerts, including one for about 61 properties issued by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District near Prospect Creek, telling residents to be ready to leave on short notice. The community of Boston Bar remains under an evacuation alert.

Officials confirmed that structures have been lost, though the exact number is unknown as the area remains too dangerous for a full damage assessment. Video posted online by Shayne Findlay, the operator of Blue Lake Resort, showed charred ruins of some buildings at the resort, though he indicated the main lodge was spared. Findlay said staff had been watching the...