Alice Lake Provincial Park ordered to evacuate as Squamish, B.C., wildfire grows in size
Park under order, over 200 properties under alert as RCMP investigate the cause of the Dryden Creek wildfire
UPDATE — June 12, 2025: B.C. provincial park evacuated, RCMP appeal for info on Squamish wildfire
A wildfire that has placed more than 200 properties under evacuation alert in the District of Squamish has grown in size, but officials say conditions for fighting the blaze are improving.
The Dryden Creek fire, which is burning next to the Sea-to-Sky Highway about 45 kilometres north of Vancouver, grew from 14.4 hectares Tuesday evening to 20.2 hectares Wednesday. It later ballooned to 54 hectares in size, after daytime winds contributed to increased fire behaviour and growth on its north flank, the district said.
The nearby Alice Lake Provincial Park was put on evacuation order Wednesday, with B.C. Parks advising all visitors to leave the park immediately and remain out of the area until further notice.
The district said in an update at 9:45 p.m. PT that while the fire isn't currently threatening park facilities, "ongoing fire growth towards access routes and reduced visibility" prompted the closure.
Earlier in the day, B.C. Wildfire Service officer Marc Simpson said higher humidity was helping crews fight the blaze. And, while strong winds were forecast for Wednesday, Squamish Fire Rescue Chief Aaron Foote said they were blowing in their favour.
"We're in a better place today than we were," Simpson told a news conference.
He added that the terrain around the fire includes steep, inaccessible areas where there may be rolling debris and "oversized rotten trees," which he expects to prolong the crews' work.
An evacuation alert in the northeastern corner of the district remains in effect.
On Tuesday, the district said about 100 properties were in the alert zone, but on Wednesday it clarified the total to be more than 220 properties, noting that one property may include multiple dwellings.
Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford said affected residents should be ready to leave on short notice. He also stressed that the alert is only for certain neighbourhoods.
"We're safe at this point, and the challenges are very localized," he said.
"Things are OK here in Squamish, save for the concern we have in our very north and eastern corner of the community."
The district declared a state of local emergency Tuesday, noting the danger for the Brackendale, Tantalus Road and Skyridge areas.
Hurford said the declaration gives the municipality access to more provincial resources should conditions worsen.
He said a Montessori school in the evacuation alert area has closed due to the proximity of the wildfire.
The fire is believed to be human-caused, but an exact cause isn't known yet.
RCMP are investigating the fire, which they say is believed to have started around 4 p.m. Monday on a bike trail at the end of Tantalus Road.
"We believe there were individuals on the trail around the time the fire started who may have information," said Staff Sgt. Gareth Bradley with Squamish RCMP.
"We encourage anyone who was out walking or hiking in the area to contact police, even if you think what you saw isn't important. Sometimes the smallest detail can make a big difference."
There are 94 active wildfires in B.C., more than half of which are classified as out of control.
With files from Lauren Vanderdeen