5.2°C Vancouver

Jun 21, 2024 6:59 PM - The Canadian Press

Large, smoky fire extinguished in Metro Vancouver, air quality bulletin to be lifted

Share On
large-smoky-fire-extinguished-in-metro-vancouver-air-quality-bulletin-to-be-lifted
The district's air quality map shows the area around the now-extinguished blaze near the Oak Street Bridge on the north arm of the Fraser River is ranked at level two of 10, indicating "low risk."(Photo: The Canadian Press)

The Metro Vancouver Regional District says a fire at a trestle bridge in Richmond, B.C., has been extinguished after sending up huge plumes of smoke that prompted an air quality bulletin for the region.

The district says in an update on the social media platform X that air quality has now improved and it will issue an update to end the bulletin.

The district's air quality map shows the area around the now-extinguished blaze near the Oak Street Bridge on the north arm of the Fraser River is ranked at level two of 10, indicating "low risk."

Richmond Fire-Rescue said earlier Friday that crews had put out the warehouse portion of the industrial fire that broke out near River Rock Casino.

At the time, they were still working to extinguish flames on the trestle bridge at the boundary between Richmond and Vancouver.

The province's driver information system, DriveBC, indicates the Oak Street Bridge is now open in both directions after the fire forced its closure Thursday night.

Vancouver International Airport says its operations are not affected, but it encourages passengers to plan ahead and allow extra time to reach the airport.

Latest news

pq-leader-calls-for-renewed-sovereignty-debate-following-legault-resignation
CanadaJan 16, 2026

PQ leader calls for renewed sovereignty debate following Legault resignation

The leader of the Parti Québécois says Premier François Legault’s decision to step down has reopened the question of Quebec sovereignty and created an opportunity to reset the province’s political direction. Paul St-Pierre Plamondon said Legault’s tenure demonstrates the limits of seeking greater autonomy within Canada, arguing that Quebec has failed to achieve meaningful gains in key areas such as immigration control and health care after more than seven years under Coalition Avenir Québec rule. Legault founded the CAQ on the idea of moving beyond the long-standing divide between fe
AlbertaJan 16, 2026

Crown seeks 16-year prison term for Calgary man convicted of ISIS involvement

Federal prosecutors are asking a judge to impose a 16-year prison sentence on a Calgary man convicted of participating in the activities of the Islamic State group after travelling to Syria more than a decade ago. Jamal Borhot, now 35, was found guilty in December of three counts related to involvement with a listed terrorist organization. The court heard Borhot travelled to Syria in 2013 and knowingly assisted ISIS while the group was carrying out widespread violence across the region. During sentencing submissions, the Crown said Borhot was not a passive supporter. Prosecutors told the court
four-prominent-punjab-leaders-join-bjp-ahead-of-2027-assembly-elections
IndiaJan 16, 2026

Four prominent Punjab leaders join BJP ahead of 2027 Assembly elections

Political activity in Punjab has intensified as parties begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 state Assembly elections. In this context, the Bharatiya Janata Party has taken another step to strengthen its organisational base in the state. On Friday, former Congress Member of Parliament Jagmeet Brar formally joined the BJP in the presence of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini. He was joined by Omkar Sidhu, former officer on special duty to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Charanjit Brar, and Jagmeet Brar’s brother Ripjeet Singh Brar. BJP leaders
south-korean-court-sentences-former-president-yoon-suk-yeol-to-five-years-in-prison
WorldJan 16, 2026

South Korean court sentences former president Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison

A South Korean court has sentenced former president Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison in connection with criminal charges linked to his controversial declaration of martial law in late 2024. The ruling, delivered Friday by the Seoul Central District Court, marks the first verdict among eight separate criminal trials Yoon is facing related to the decree and other alleged misconduct. The court convicted Yoon on charges including defying authorities during attempts to detain him and fabricating official documents. Prosecutors had argued that Yoon obstructed law enforcement and abused presiden
BCJan 16, 2026

Abbotsford hotel death under investigation by IHIT

Abbotsford police have turned over an investigation into a death at a local hotel to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team. Police say officers were called to a report of suspicious circumstances at a hotel along Marshall Road near Clearbrook Road. When patrol members arrived, they located a deceased person inside one of the hotel rooms. Investigators believe the incident was isolated to that room and say there is no ongoing risk to the public. Police have also stated there is no connection between this case and recent extortion related incidents reported elsewhere in the Fraser Valley. O

Related News