Large fire at RV lot in Abbotsford prompts toxic air warning as city struggles with devastating floods

Fire has now joined floods in Abbotsford as first responders in the city battle a blaze at an RV dealership.

About 100 RVs parked tightly together are on fire and there are 40 firefighters battling the blaze, officials said.

If it isn’t flood, it’s fire!

An RV lot is burning near the flood waters in Abbotsford BC.

(This is my video; I personally took it; news orgs can use it with attribution.)#BCStorm #Abbotsford #fire #flooding pic.twitter.com/OdEFpDHptD

— John Koetsier, CEO of $SMRT (@johnkoetsier) November 17, 2021

The fire is under some high−voltage power lines creating added danger, they explained.

Residents in the area are being told to keep their windows and doors closed.

Residents in the area (North Parallel & Sumas Mt Road) of the blowing smoke are encouraged to stay indoors due to the potential of the smoke being toxic. Wind is pushing North / West. Assessment is currently in progress. pic.twitter.com/eAVd2u5i87

— Abbotsford Police Department (@AbbyPoliceDept) November 17, 2021

Abbotsford Police Department said this morning that the smoke could be "toxic."

There are estimated to be between 400 and 500 RVs at the lot.

Officials in Abbotsford have urged all residents of the low−lying Sumas Prairie region to get out immediately.

The area, south of Abbotsford, was ordered evacuated Tuesday as high water from neighbouring Washington state pushed the Sumas River over its banks, but the urgency of the evacuation leaped overnight as those waters now threaten a vital pumping station.

Water came close to getting into the Barrowtown station but pumps are holding and good progress being made with the sandbags. Thanks to everyone who came out and continue to work tirelessly thru the night. #wegotthis #chilliwack #abbotsford #bcflood pic.twitter.com/9joVa2kC5p

— Erik Dv (@erikdv) November 17, 2021

Officials say the Barrowtown station keeps water out of what was once Sumas Lake but they say the lake will refill if the station stops pumping and that water from the nearby Fraser River will also begin gushing in.

Mayor Henry Braun says there is a significant risk to life and that everyone in the rural agricultural area must leave because "people’s lives are more important right now than livestock and chickens."

The fire is still very active within the area of Sumas Mt Road & North Parallel Road. Abbotsford Fire Crews are on site and actively fighting the fire. Air 1 provided an aerial overview a few minutes ago to the Abbotsford EOC. pic.twitter.com/hSrgHerxch

— Abbotsford Police Department (@AbbyPoliceDept) November 17, 2021

Earlier this morning, federal Public Safety Minister Bill Blair says the Canadian government is sending Canadian Forces personnel to help with evacuation efforts in BC.

A social media message from Blair says a deployment has been approved.

The message says air personnel will also help to support supply chain routes, and protect residents against further flooding or landslides.

– With files from Canadian Press