New Anderson Creek wildfire prompts evacuation order near Hells Gate in B.C.'s Fraser Canyon

A new wildfire south of Boston Bar in British Columbia's Fraser Canyon has prompted evacuation orders for the Hells Gate area as crews respond to growing wildfire activity.

According to the BC Wildfire Service, the Anderson Creek wildfire was discovered Tuesday and has grown to about 1,000 hectares. Officials said the fire has now been added to the Brunswick Wildfire Complex, which includes two other active wildfires in the region.

The Fraser Valley Regional District issued evacuation orders Tuesday evening for Boston Bar, the Boston Bar First Nation, North Bend and Canyon Alpine, citing an immediate risk to life and property. Authorities have also directed everyone in the Hells Gate area to leave as the fire situation continues to evolve.

The largest fires within the Brunswick Wildfire Complex remain the Ainslie Creek wildfire, estimated at 16,499 hectares, and the Brunswick Creek wildfire, which has burned about 5,389 hectares, according to the BC Wildfire Service.

Separately, the provincial government is expanding campfire prohibitions in two additional fire centres. The ban took effect Wednesday in the Cariboo Fire Centre and is scheduled to come into effect Thursday in the Southeast Fire Centre as wildfire conditions remain elevated.