Crews with the B.C. Wildfire Service are battling a seven-hectare wildfire north of Campbell River.
The fire is two kilometres south of Roberts Lake, 25 kilometres north of Campbell River and 300 metres from Highway 19.
“The highway is open and clear for traffic going by. We’re asking people not to stop. It is a fire site and just make sure you watch for our crews moving in that area,” said Marg Drysdale, fire information officer for the Coastal Fire Service.
The cause of the fire, which was 40 per cent contained as of Wednesday evening, is unknown. Wind during the day had little effect on the blaze, Drysdale said.
Wildfire behaviour is ranked from a low of one to a high of six, and this is a Level 1 fire.
The fire is in an area with felled and bucked timber, which means the area has been logged. The blaze, which was reported Tuesday afternoon, had not reached adjacent forested land.
On Wednesday, an initial attack crew of three people and a unit crew of 20 people were fighting the fire, using three pieces of heavy equipment. Air support had not been deemed necessary.
Weather changes might affect its size. Drysdale said cooler temperatures are expected today.
“It has been a quieter season overall,” she said. “The rains in June and July were definitely helpful. Last year, we went into the fire season on a three-year drought.”
There have been 101 fires so far this year in the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction, which covers an area of 12.8 million hectares. The 10-year average to this date is 156.
A Category 2 fire ban remains in place, which means campfires, but not fireworks, are allowed.
Meanwhile, 13 B.C. Wildfire Service personnel are responding to two small, lightning-caused fires north of Salmo, but officials said the fires are not threatening any communities or structures.
Officials said the smoke visible in many areas of the Southeast Fire Centre, around Trail, Nelson and Cranbrook, is originating from several wildfires burning in Idaho and Washington state.
— With files from The Canadian Press
