Sea-to-Sky Hwy reopens near Horseshoe Bay as crews control grass fire

Firefighters have brought a small grass fire under controlnear Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver, B.C., after it closed a major highwayin both directions on Monday afternoon.

The Sea-to-Sky Highway (Highway 99),which connects the Lower Mainland to destinations further north such as Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton, has now fully reopened,DriveBCsaid around 11 p.m.PT Tuesday.

The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS)says the fire, whichwasburning southwest ofWhyte Lake, approximately half a kilometre from the busy ferry terminal that connects Metro Vancouver to Vancouver Island, is now under control.

On Monday,officials said the fire grew to three hectares in size at one point,but West Vancouver Assistant Fire Chief Mike Hodgessaid it never expanded beyond one hectare.

"We had a very good night, the wind was down and the perimeter that we created yesterday held," he said early Tuesday.

WATCH | Plane attacks brush fire near Horseshoe Bay:

Planes fly over brush fire near Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal

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A brush fire shut down the Sea-to-Sky Highway near Horseshoe Bay on Monday. (Credit: Jim Mullin)

A detour was put in place along Horseshoe Bay Drive, while traffic wasstill able to reach the B.C. Ferries terminal via Highway 1.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire, but Hodges said it was most likely human caused because of the fire's proximity to a stop on the road.

"It's definitely looking like human caused because there is a lookout and a pullout.People stop and come up to the lookout and have a beautiful view of Howe Sound," he said.

A 20-person BCWS crew came from Pembertonon Tuesday to help with the fire, Hodges added.

On Monday, BCWS fire information officer Jade Richardson said crews moved quickly to helptheWest Vancouver Fire Department control the flames.

"B.C. Wildfire Service [responded]with two initial attack crews, two helicopters and two response officers," she told CBC News around 4 p.m. PT Monday. "We also responded with an air tanker team earlier."

Rod Gildersleeve was heading to Squamish on Monday before the closure of the highway in both directions made him change his plans.

"I can think of three or four fires in this area generated by people in thelast year,"he told CBC News.

Hannah Mather, a server at Troll's Restaurant at Horseshoe Bay, said numerous customers had come in worried about the fire, with the closure affecting businesses near the ferry terminal.

"We're kind of emptying out in there," she said Monday afternoon.

Richardson said it was important for residents to be aware of fire risks heading into the Canada Day long weekend.

"Especially on the mainland, where campfire use is still allowed following certain specifications and regulations, we really want to urge the public to just be very prudent and diligent with their use of fire," she said.

Campfires include all fires smaller than half a metre in size, with fires larger than that banned everywhere except the southeast corner of B.C.

Richardson says anyone with a campfire should ensure there are fire guards around it and that it is not left burning overnight.