Richmond’s wild land fire near Westminster Highway and Shell Road is still burning as crews continue to monitor the site nearly two weeks after the fire was discovered.
The fire on Department of National Defence lands is now 100 per cent contained according to the City of Richmond and, last Thursday evening, Richmond Fire-Rescue reopened Shell Road between Westminster Highway and Alderbridge Way.
The city says Richmond Fire-Rescue “continues to constantly patrol/monitor the wild land fire on DND land” and a perimeter with as many as 250 sprinklers has been running 24/7.
FIRE UPDATE: #RichmondFireRescue continues to constantly patrol/monitor the wild land fire on DND land. Sprinklers are running 24/7.
— Richmond, BC Alerts (@RichmondBCAlert) August 8, 2018
⚠️ It is EXTREMELY DRY everywhere.
⚠️ Be hyper vigilant NOT to discard of smoking and BBQ materials.
⚠️ Do NOT enter DND land. #RichmondBC pic.twitter.com/zmCBwJYePB
As the fire suppression efforts continue, it seems some people are still trying to access the site, despite the dangerous environment with crews asking the public to "Avoid the area if possible as it's an active wild fire & work site.” The city has also tweeted out a warning to the public saying “Do not enter DND land. It is private property and trespassing is not permitted.”
FIRE UPDATE: Wild land fire on DND land continues to burn and remains 100% contained. Avoid the area if possible. Sprinklers are continuously running to maintain a wet perimeter.
— Richmond, BC Alerts (@RichmondBCAlert) August 5, 2018
⚠️ Do NOT enter DND land. It is private property and trespassing is NOT permitted. #RichmondBC pic.twitter.com/3Q1ce0lovz
Mayor Malcolm Brodie expressed his gratitude to the crews working to extinguish the fire on Twitter, calling it “a first rate co-ordinated effort.”
“We are very grateful to all those who helped with the fire response on the DND lands. Thanks to the dedicated men and women of Richmond Fire Rescue together with provincial fire crews, RCMP, air crews and other first responders,” he said.
We are very grateful to all those who helped with the fire response on the DND lands. Thanks to the dedicated men and women of Richmond Fire Rescue together with provincial fire crews, rcmp, air crews and other first responders. A first rate co-ordinated effort. https://t.co/SZwqEv8OUI
— Malcolm Brodie (@malcolmbrodie) July 28, 2018
Multiple aircrafts dumping water, military personnel, RCMP, Fire-Rescue and excavators have all been on scene at various points to help combat the blaze which on-the-ground crews described as “stubborn,” particularly due to its hard-to-reach location.
The fire — one of the biggest in living memory in Richmond — was first reported on the evening of July 26 and ended up ravaging 12.3 hectares of the 55 hectare forested parcel confined by No. 4 and Shell roads, Alderbridge Way and Westminster Highway.
