A former neighborhood in Sechelt is engulfed in flames, with firefighters facing challenges in putting out the fire due to dangerous ground conditions.
The blaze is currently raging in the deserted Seawatch community, which was evacuated back in 2019 following occurrences of sinkholes and persistent geotechnical instability that rendered the area hazardous. This neighborhood, comprising 14 homes, remains uninhabited since the evacuation.
Owing to the unstable terrain, emergency responders are unable to access the site directly to combat the fire, as stated by the Sechelt Fire Department.
On a recent Sunday morning, the fire department urged the public to steer clear of the vicinity, cautioning that the burning buildings will likely emit smoke and noxious fumes for several days.
In a social media announcement, the department emphasized the dangers of being near the off-gassing fire without appropriate protective gear, advising residents nearby to keep windows shut if they detect smoke.
Monitoring of the fire is being overseen by the Sechelt Fire Department in collaboration with the RCMP, the District of Sechelt, and the BC Wildfire Service.
Residents are encouraged to report any surge in fire activities to the Sechelt Fire Department at 604-740-2595.
