Squamish Declares State of Emergency as Dryden Creek Wildfire Expands

The District of Squamish in southern British Columbia has declared a state of local emergency due to the Dryden Creek wildfire, which is burning out of control near the community of 24,000 residents. The wildfire, suspected to be human-caused, has expanded to approximately 14.4 hectares and prompted evacuation alerts for areas including Brackendale, Tantalus Road, and the Skyridge subdivision. Local authorities, including BC Wildfire Service and Squamish Fire Rescue, are aggressively fighting the fire using helicopters and ground crews, focusing on protecting critical infrastructure. In response to the fire risks, a comprehensive campfire ban has been implemented, prohibiting all open fires and fireworks within the district to aid fire suppression efforts. Residents in affected areas are advised to be prepared for possible evacuation on short notice as emergency notifications have been issued and officials continue door-to-door outreach. The situation remains fluid as crews continue their efforts to contain the wildfire amid challenging terrain.