Firefighters are struggling to get control of a wildfire that has grown to at least 150 hectares east of Port Renfrew near Lizard Lake.
“We know it’s bigger than that, but the valley is clogged with very thick and heavy smoke in the area so we can’t see the edges of it at all,” said fire information officer Donna MacPherson.
Thirty-nine firefighters, four officers, seven helicopters and other heavy equipment were fighting the blaze Thursday.
Wafting smoke blanketed the region, forcing the closing of the Pacific Circle Highway between Port Renfrew and Lake Cowichan and prompting the Environment Ministry and Island Health to issue a smoke advisory for the area. Residents, especially infants, the elderly and those with conditions such as heart or lung disease, are advised to limit their exposure and avoid strenuous activities.
The human-caused fire, about 11.5 kilometres northeast of Port Renfrew, was discovered Wednesday, and grew to more than 135 hectares from five hectares in just a few hours. The heat, the slope involved and the large amount of logging debris allowed flames to spread quickly.
No homes have been threatened and the exact cause of the fire is under investigation.
There was no logging in the area at the time.
MacPherson said firefighters are focusing on the fire at the base of the slope, to prevent it from moving farther downward.
The fire was one of about 140 burning around the province Thursday afternoon, and one of five considered “of note” in the Coastal Fire Centre, said Kevin Skrepnek, B.C.’s chief fire information officer.
On the mainland, firefighters were busy battling a rapidly growing wildfire that broke out Thursday near Rock Creek in the Kootenays. Temperatures of 39ºC, low humidity and wind gusts pushed the blaze to more than 400 hectares within hours. Two highways were closed and an evacuation order was issued.
The province has seen 1,486 wildfires since April 1, with 283,000 hectares burned, Skrepnek said during a teleconference. The firefighting cost to date is more than $196 million.
By this time last year, there had been 1,154 fires covering 272,000 hectares and costing over $182 million, he said, while the 10-year provincial average for the date is 1,264 fires and 79,000 hectares burned.
The fire danger rating remains high or extreme in most areas of southern B.C., Skrepnek said. “In general, we are seeing continued volatile fire situations in many areas of the province.”
Rain is in today’s forecast, but could come as thundershowers. Between five and seven millimetres of precipitation is expected, said Environment Canada meteorologist Matt MacDonald.
“Not a huge deluge, but nonetheless, given the drought and everything, I think it’s more than welcome.”
kderosa@timescolonist.com
jwbell@timescolonist.com
— With a file from the Vancouver Sun
