The Nation has been keeping the community updated on the wildfire in the Upper Elaho Valley. As of September 6, the fire is considered held and unlikely to spread. Please see the tabs below for more details.
Click here for information from the BC Wildfire Service website.
Contact for Squamish community members: Eric Baker, Squamish Nation Land Guardian
Phone: 604-346-8098
Email: Eric_Baker@squamish.net
Other contact: Kimberly Kelly, Information Officer at BC Wildfire Service Coastal Fire Centre
Phone: 250-927-1847
Email: Kimberly.Kelly@gov.bc.ca
This is the last update to community regarding the Upper Elaho Valley fire as it is currently being held and is not likely to spread further.
The rain over the past week helped to end most of the tree canopy fire and it is now considered mainly a brush/smoldering fire. BC Wildfire Service has supports on site and hopes to have it extinguished over the next weeks depending on how the weather continues.
At this time, the areas of cultural significance are safe and protected within the current fire boundary. Staff from Ta na wa Yúus ta Stitúyntsam̓ (Rights & Title) will visit the area once the fire is out to ensure that the cultural sites remain intact.
The Upper Elaho wildfire is currently listed as 457 hectares. Sqomish Forestry continues to work with BCWS to improve the road and access routes to the fire by having Squamish People/Contractors working in the area and signage has been put near the roadway. The Nation and BCWS are requesting that all recreation users avoid the area to not disrupt efforts of crews who will be working around the clock.
Rain is expected overnight which could reduce the spread of the fire and knock it down in many areas. Wildfire crews will be halting over the rain period due to safety concerns but will resume once the weather improves and it is safe to do so.
The wildfire is close to important cultural sites for Squamish People but has continued to be held away from these sites. The Nation continues to work with BCWS to protect these sites by sending updated maps and sending staff to attend the area.
The Upper Elaho wildfire is now listed at 394 hectares. The wildfire is close to important cultural sites for Squamish People and the Nation and BCWS continue to work together to protect the area.
Currently only helicopters and aircrews are able to access the area. BCWS has contracted Sqomish Forestry to build new bridges to access the fire with heavy machinery and workers will be operating around the clock over the weekend to provide the fire crews with the safest access to fight the fire. Signage will be put up close to the worksite areas. The Nation and BCWS are requesting that all recreational users avoid the area so that this work can go ahead without any disruptions.
On August 12, 2024 at approximately 3:00 pm, a wildfire was reported in the Upper Elaho Valley. Likely caused by lightening, aggressive fire behaviour and explosive growth was reported. The fire began at 5 hectares and is currently listed as 140 hectares. BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) established contact with Squamish Nation for information on cultural and sensitive sites in the area.
Squamish People know how important this area is, and the Nation has made it clear to BCWS that the lands need to be prioritized for protection. The Nation administration and Sqomish Foresty are actively collaborating with BCWS to provide information that helps support wildfire response in the territory and ensure these sacred areas are protected.
BC Wildfire Service has committed crews and aviation resources to protect the cultural sites on the north flank of the fire (utilizing direct and indirect tactics).