Vancouver’s Wreck Beach wildfire knocked down near UBC

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – A wildfire in the UBC area is now under control after it broke out in rugged terrain above Wreck Beach Tuesday morning.

Vancouver Fire Rescue Services Asst. Chief Ken Gemmill says crews jumped into action quickly after they learned about it at around 7:30 a.m. Smoke could be seen in the area rising from the forested area above the popular clothing-optional beach in Pacific Spirit Regional Park, on the University Endowment Lands.

11:13 – #UBC @UBC #Vancouver – Fire crews remain on scene battling a wildfire around Wreck Beach. NW Marine Dr is closed to traffic from University Blvd to West Mall until further notice @NEWS1130 @NEWS1130Traffic pic.twitter.com/xdOenNglp4

— Ryan Lidemark ???? ????️ (@RyanLmark) June 29, 2021

The fire was approximately 0.45 hectares in size and did not threaten any homes or structures.

BC Wildfire Service is crediting the Vancouver Fire captain for their quick-thinking actions which helped mitigate the spread.

“They were able to get an apparatus down the trail and about a kilometre of fire hose and suppress the fire before it got out of control,” Gemmill said. “Quite a remarkable state.”

At its height, 11 different fire apparatus responded to the blaze, and a helicopter was also called in to assist as a precaution.

The cause is currently under investigation but Vancouver Fire Rescue Services says discarded smoking material is suspected as the ignition source.

With the recent heatwave, firefighters are urging the public to discard their cigarettes in designated areas and not where a wildfire could be sparked.

“The fire conditions in the forested areas are quite extreme. We got to make sure we aren’t smoking or having any campfires in any of the forested areas,” Gemmill warned.

Though the heat is less severe Tuesday than it was Monday and Sunday, temperatures are still expected to creep into the above-average territory.

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Gemmill says in addition to tackling this fire, the past few days have kept all first responders incredibly busy with first aid and sudden death calls.

He urges everyone to be good citizens and check in on each other, in order to help those at risk in this unbearable heat.

“We are doing our best to get to scenes and get to the 911 calls but if everyone in the community can do their best to take care of their neighbour and the elderly that would help as well.”

Vancouver firefighters will remain in the area throughout the afternoon to put out any additional hot spots.