Smoke from the Elaho wildfire, burning 67 kilometres west of Pemberton, continues to drift into the Squamish/Pemberton valley.

A weather inversion continues to blanket the fire, forcing smoke to move along valley bottoms toward the town of Squamish.

The Elaho fire has grown over the past 24 hours and now covers about 130 hectares in steep terrain. It is exhibiting extreme fire behaviour, due to dry conditions and the fuel types in that area. Visibility at the site is limited due to the smoky conditions.

The Elaho fire was human-caused, but does not appear to be due to industrial activity. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Two officers, 50 firefighters, one helicopter co-ordinator, five helicopters, two excavators, a water tender and four fallers are on site today.

Depending on prevailing winds, smoke can travel long distances. For information about air quality or to view satellite imagery from the BlueSky Western Canada Wildfire Smoke Forecasting System, please go to: www.bcairquality.ca

Anyone who sees a column of smoke, including in the Squamish/Pemberton valley, should report it by calling 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.

For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, go to http://www.bcwildfire.ca

You can also follow the latest wildfire news:

• On Twitter at http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo
• On Facebook at http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

Media Contacts:

Donna MacPherson or Marg Drysdale
Fire Information Officers
Wildfire Management Branch
Coastal Fire Centre
250 951-4209