Maple Ridge wildfire under control May 24

Maple Ridge officials said on Saturday, May 24, that an early-season wildfire near Rock Ridge had been brought under control after crews worked through the night on steep ground near the Malcolm Knapp Research Forest. The City of Maple Ridge said the fire started at about 6:30 p.m. the previous evening and was estimated at 1.5 hectares. CityNews Vancouver reported that officials said there were no injuries and no structural damage. Mayor Dan Ruimy told CityNews the incident was a warning ahead of what officials described as a hot summer forecast. ### Where was the fire, and how close was it to homes? The City of Maple Ridge said the fire was located at the top of the Rock Ridge area along the interface of the Malcolm Knapp Research Forest. CityNews reported the blaze was about 350 meters from a residential area. Maple Ridge Fire & Rescue said the terrain was “extremely steep and challenging,” a factor that shaped the overnight response. (mapleridge.ca) The city said crews were still assessing trees and other hazards in the area on May 24. ### How big was the response overnight? About 25 personnel were on scene into the early morning hours, according to the city’s Rock Ridge fire update. (mapleridge.ca) Maple Ridge Fire & Rescue said its crews were working alongside the BC Wildfire Service and would continue active firefighting operations through the day. CityNews reported that the fire had first been classified as out of control before being contained. (mapleridge.ca) By the time of the city’s later update, officials said fire activity had slowed and the blaze was contained, with an expectation it would reach “Held” status by the end of the day. ### Were there injuries, evacuations, or damage? (mapleridge.ca) CityNews reported that officials said there were no injuries and no damage to structures from the fire. The city’s public update did not announce any evacuation order in the material reviewed. Maple Ridge Fire & Rescue asked the public to avoid the area while crews remained on scene. (vancouver.citynews.ca) In an earlier CityNews report on May 23, Fire Chief Dave Samson said the cause of the fire was under investigation. ### Why did officials say this fire mattered beyond one night? Mayor Dan Ruimy told CityNews that he did not think the fire was “a one off” and said the community needed to be prepared “over and over again.” CityNews said officials linked the incident to concern about a summer that climate agencies predict could be among the hottest on record. (vancouver.citynews.ca 1) (vancouver.citynews.ca 2) The City of Maple Ridge already maintains wildfire-preparedness resources, including a Community Wildfire Protection Plan and a public wildfire protection page. The city also directs residents to Alert Maple Ridge, its emergency alert system for fires and other emergencies. ### Where can residents look for updates now? (vancouver.citynews.ca) Maple Ridge said further updates would be posted on its Rock Ridge Area Fire Updates page if conditions changed. The city said crews remained on site on May 24 to deal with the smoldering ground fire and surrounding hazards. Alert Maple Ridge is the city’s official emergency alert system, and the city says it sends localized instructions during fires, severe weather and other public safety events. (mapleridge.ca) Residents can also monitor Maple Ridge’s news page for notices and service updates. (mapleridge.ca) (mapleridge.ca)