A fire that started Aug. 8 in the Whyte Lake area above Horseshoe Bay was 100 per cent contained as of Monday, but the terrain was still so dangerous that crews hadn’t been able assess the damage. Trails in the area remained closed until further notice as there are still hot spots, hazardous trees and loose terrain.
West Vancouver Fire and Rescue took over the scene after initially working with Metro Vancouver and other crews from the North Shore. Fire Chief Randy Heath said the department was in the patrol stage, watching for hot spots and deep-seated heat in the ground.
“It’s a real slow process of watching and using our senses of smell and sight,” Heath said.
If any smouldering is spotted, crews are going in and putting it out immediately, he added.
The fire grew to three hectares in size, prompting the closure of the Baden Powell Trail and the Black Mountain Trail. The trails will remain closed until further notice and the public is asked to stay out of the area.
Last week, assistant fire chief Jeff Bush said the fire looked like it was human caused, but added he didn’t think an exact cause would be found.
Heath praised the joint effort by the three North Shore firefighting crews as well as Metro Vancouver fire fighters in battling the Horseshoe Bay fire.
