Crews attend wildfire at Wreck Beach in ‘busiest 48 hours of Vancouver Fire history’

Vancouver fire crews are responding to a wildfire that broke out this morning in the UBC endowment lands.

Kenny Gemmill, the assistant chief of operations for Vancouver Fire says 11 units are on scene trying to control the blaze. Gemmill adds a helicopter, as well as RCMP and provincial wildfire crews, have been called in to help. While not on scene himself, Gemmill tells Vancouver Is Awesome it sounds like the fire is under control but that could change. 

"You never know with wildfire, until they totally douse the whole area it could start up again," Gemmill said.

The university tweeted the fire is located near the top of Trail 5 along NW Marine Drive, next to the popular naturist area Wreck Beach.

Fire crews on scene at fire near the top of Trail 5 along NW Marine Drive. Please avoid the area.

— UBC Media Relations (@ubcnews) June 29, 2021

Gemmill says the fire comes as the department has been run ragged in the past few days.

"We're trying to tread water here honestly," Gemmill said. "We've had the busiest 48 hours of Vancouver Fire history basically with the heat dome."

"There have been so many sudden deaths in the last 24 hours it's unbelievable," he said adding several units have been “stuck” with other medical calls for hours.